Mrs

Mrs. Darlene Kergick

Learning Support

Frackville Elementary

Homework Helpline; 462-3000 ext. 7431

Biography

I graduated from Shenandoah Valley High School. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from East Stroudsburg University. My master’s equivalency degree was earned through a variety of courses taken through Wilkes, Bloomsburg and Millersville University.

I knew I wanted to become a special education teacher since about the age of 12. At that time, my mother became a foster parent to a two year old boy with Down’s Syndrome. She later adopted him and ever since I am very proud to call him my brother.

Teaching and helping him overcome obstacles was so rewarding that I knew I wanted to make a career of this.

This is my twenty-third year of teaching. I have never regretted my choice of career.

What is Learning Support?

Students who receive learning support have been identified with special learning needs.

Each student identified has an “IEP” Individualized Education Plan. This plan is designed with the cooperation of parents and teachers involved with the student, to meet the student’s individual needs. Specially Designed instruction may include such things as ability grouping, remediation of skills, and small group instruction.

Parents are kept informed of their child’s progress through weekly communication and quarterly progress reports on specific IEP goals, which are sent home quarterly along with report cards.

Classroom Management Plan

Students are expected to follow all school and classroom rules as outlined in the student handbook.

The Banana Split Race

Students will earn a portion of their banana split for every week they display classroom cooperation, by having less than five marks on the WORK/BEHAVIOR CHART. The portions must be earned during a nine week marking period as follows;

Week #1 spoon

Week #2 dish

Week #3 banana

Week #4 scoop of chocolate ice cream

Week #5 scoop of vanilla ice cream

Week #6 scoop of strawberry ice cream

Week #7 toppings

Week #8 whipped cream

Week #9 cherry

This behavior modification plan is an “add on” rather than a “take away” plan. The student participates in “The end of the marking period” party to the extent that they have met their weekly goals. For example if a student has three weeks of appropriate cooperation they will have a spoon bowl and banana at the party.