Intermediate Unit 1

Our HOMES program students had an amazing time with Envision Blind Sports!🙌 They got hands-on (literally!) with the different types of adaptive balls and then brought the energy to the gym to play. 🏀🥎⚽️ Envision Blind Sports has been changing the game for over 17 years, creating opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired to experience sports, recreation, and outdoor adventure. Their mission? To promote lifelong wellness through physical activity — with trained staff, adaptive equipment, and inclusive programming. Seeing our students exploring, learning, laughing … and competing … was so powerful.💙 Thanks to Envision for helping build awareness, confidence, and fun. #Inclusion #AdaptiveSports #EnvisionBlindSports Don Martin, Ed.D Dr. Kristin Szewczyk Jenny Lent

🌟 Technovation is coming to IU1! Join us on Friday, December 5th for a free educator workshop that empowers you to bring real-world coding, AI, and entrepreneurship opportunities to students ages 8–18. Learn how to guide students as they research challenges, design tech solutions, and pitch their ideas on a global stage. 💡✨ 📍 IU1 Central Office – Coal Center, PA 🕣 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/evEGaf4z Let’s inspire the next generation of innovators—together! 🚀 Don Martin, Ed.D Dr. Kristin Szewczyk Jenny Lent

💻❄️ IU1’s Winter 25–26 Online CPE Courses are open for registration! Enhance your professional growth this season with engaging, fully online courses that meet Act 48 and Level II requirements. Courses begin in January 2026 — register now through the new IU1 PD Hub 👉 https://lnkd.in/epsycw-Z #ProfessionalDevelopment #OnlineLearning Don Martin, Ed.D Dr. Kristin Szewczyk Jenny Lent

Today, we joined the Charleroi Area School District community to celebrate Charleroi Area Elementary Center, one of only 13 schools in the state to be named a Pennsylvania Blue Ribbon School! ❤️ 🖤 The celebration featured a community parade, a special presentation in the auditorium, and exciting activities for students across the elementary center. Charleroi earned this honor for its success in closing achievement gaps and for the positive, inclusive environment it has built through initiatives like ROARS, the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program promoting Respect, Ownership, Attitude, Responsibility, and Safety, and a strong Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that provides timely academic and behavioral interventions for every student. Congratulations to the students, staff, and families of Charleroi Area Elementary Center on this outstanding recognition and celebration of hard work, heart, and community! 🌟 #PABlueRibbonSchools #CharleroiProud #PBIS #MTSS

The first IU1 School Spotlight of the 2025–2026 school year is here! 🌟 We’re excited to feature Trinity Area School District. 🔗 Check it out: https://lnkd.in/epqmaXTr

IU1’s Career Readiness Coordinator Morgan North and STEM Coordinator Emily Hughes are representing IU1 at the ILC: Innovation, Learning, and Career Education Conference, hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Bureau of Career and Technical Education. This annual event highlights how career-related and academic content come together through partnerships among CTCs, K–12 schools, higher education institutions, employers, and organizations that make Pennsylvania’s CTE ecosystem thrive. 🌟 #CareerReadyPA #STEMEducation Don Martin, Ed.D Dr. Kristin Szewczyk Jenny Lent

Join Intermediate Unit 1 and help shape the future of science education across Fayette, Greene, and Washington Counties. In this full-time role, you’ll support school districts in designing and aligning K–12 science curriculum, lead engaging professional development, and bring state science initiatives to life through hands-on training, collaboration, and innovation. Ready to make an impact in STEM learning? Apply today at https://lnkd.in/ePJqq-k9 Don Martin, Ed.D Dr. Kristin Szewczyk Jenny Lent #NowHiring #ScienceEducation #EducationCareers #STEM #JoinOurTeam #IU1

Spooky fun across our campuses! 🎃 Our Waynesburg and McMurray students celebrated Halloween with costumes, a festive parade, and trick-or-treating. McMurray even wrapped up the day with a Halloween dance in the gym — all the smiles were boo-tiful! 👻🧡 Don Martin, Ed.D Dr. Kristin Szewczyk Jenny Lent

On Friday, the IU1 Empowerment Team had the privilege of visiting the Hiram G. Andrews Center and Commonwealth Technical Institute—and what an inspiring experience it was! We were blown away by the incredible programs and opportunities offered through the Commonwealth Technical Institute (CTI). CTI is dedicated to preparing Pennsylvanians with disabilities for meaningful careers through individualized, affordable education and training that meets the needs of today’s workforce. Beyond academics, HGAC’s specialized staff provides comprehensive supportive services that empower students to thrive in competitive employment settings. It’s a model of inclusion, innovation, and impact. Thank you to the HGAC team for your hospitality and for the work you do every day to uplift and equip students across the Commonwealth! 🩵 Don Martin, Ed.D Dr. Kristin Szewczyk Jenny Lent Lisa M. David Dunham M. Ed. Ronald Gallagher #IU1Empowerment #CTI #HGAC #InclusiveEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #EmpowermentInAction #SpecialEducation #CareerReady