OUR COMMITMENT TO

Exceptional Student Education

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Exceptional Student Education | Breakthrough Public Schools

Exceptional Student Education Guiding Principles

We believe all students deserve an exemplary education to achieve at the highest levels. We work hard to make sure that our schools are inclusive, anti-racist, brave spaces where exceptional learners can reach their full potential. We manifest this vision by adding and building capacity within our school communities to be able to:

Engage a whole-child approach, fostering students’ physical and socio-emotional well-being
Emphasize grade-level, content mastery for ALL students, including exceptional learners
Provide timely, data-driven, and empowering support rather than lowering expectations
Encourage scholars to understand their strengths and advocate for their learning differences
Inspire students to be lifelong learners by nurturing their unique backgrounds, strengths and abilities

Family Supports (led by our Intervention Specialists and Deans of Culture):

Wellness Checks

Intervention Specialist Check-Ins

Self-Directed Learning

Synchronous Supports

Virtual Call Center

PROGRAM DETAILS

We believe that a robust exceptional student education program directly aligns to our commitment to and celebration of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In service of this same commitment, we prioritize inclusion (within the classroom) for our support services.

Within both our Citizens and Preps model, we provide the following student-focused and goal-driven support services:

English as a New Language (ENL) support
Counseling
Speech therapy
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Hearing services
Gifted education acceleration
Nursing services

Beginning this school year (2020-21), we are proud to be able to identify and support gifted students within both our Citizens and Preps models. We also provide the following exceptional student education classroom structures: co-teaching, extension classes (full-time small group instruction), and intervention classes (part-time small group instruction)

Our Response to Intervention (RTI) program (see below):

Connects our support services to meaningful student achievement in the classroom
Ensures a meaningful transition for any new students to the Breakthrough family
Supplements our classroom curriculum with I-ready
Supports all students to reach and exceed grade-level literacy and math proficiency

Exceptional Student Education Network Leaders

Kadeem Howard

Managing Director of Exceptional Student Education

Growing up as a gay black man in a low-income urban community within Brooklyn raised by a single-parent and supporting a little brother with emotional management differences - my family and I are living proof of the impact of exemplary educational opportunities. I have seen directly the devastating consequences of inequitable educational experiences. So for the past 10 years, I’ve committed myself to designing and facilitating excellent educational opportunities that empower all people to achieve fulfilling and self-determined lives. Whether as a Special Education teacher, instructional coach, school-based leader, or Special Populations network-based leader, I believe strongly in the critical role all school staff plays in this important work. I am beyond thrilled to call Breakthrough my new team and family.

Maureen Vogel

Director of Exceptional Student Education

Maureen Vogel joined Citizens Academy 2 years ago after 9 years in the classroom as a co-teacher and special educator. While Maureen did not start out her career as a Special Education Teacher, she was called to it after a stint in public relations and communications, and after her family was changed due to a diagnosis. She has worked in both high school and grade school settings but has always been devoted to advocating for the most vulnerable of our population and working closely to support families. Maureen moved to Cleveland 3 years ago from the Chicagoland area, and she and her family have not looked back. During her time at Citizens Academy, Maureen has worked to advocate for a better quality of service for all of our students through the Sensory Room initiative, co-teaching training, and teaming with others to focus on offering more trauma-informed care. Maureen is looking forward to continuing to advocate, educate, and support in order to change the face of public education in Cleveland.

Ronee Tucholski

Exceptional Student Education Instructional Manager (Preps)

Ronee has been with Breakthrough Schools since 2011, serving both as a teacher and Director of Special Education. As the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Instruction Manager, she will work closely with Principals, Deans of Instruction, and Deans of Culture to maintain a channel of communication in all areas of school and teacher development, such as curriculum development, student progress monitoring, instruction, professional development, and RtI. Ronee affirms that one of the most important things she’s learned over the past nine years is “What we do, MATTERS! We are agents of change.”

Nicole Wolfram

Exceptional Student Education Instructional Manager (CEM)

As I have walked on my educational journey, I have developed a passion for the importance of trauma and the brain and how it affects the daily lives of our students, staff, families, and classroom learning environments. Throughout the last few years, I began to gain more knowledge through research, professional learning, and discussions with my colleagues. In this, I saw just how many of us needed to gain a better understanding of our students. I spent the last two years coaching my fellow educators in the strong belief that all students learn best when a connection and alliance is formed with their teacher. It is the teacher’s responsibility to provide each child a safe environment free from judgement, labels, and bias. I am extremely excited to be a part of the Exceptional Student Education team within Breakthrough Public Schools in hopes of providing the best supports through Trauma Informed Practices, Culturally Responsive Teaching, and Social Emotional Learning for all of our exceptional learners.

Jen Taylor

Exceptional Student Education Compliance Manager (CEM)

The Exceptional Student Education Compliance Manager for the Citizens Education Model is Jennifer Taylor. Mrs. Taylor’s commitment to supporting urban education and exceptional learners has been a driving focus as she has served in several capacities supporting multiple schools over the course of her career. She has held the positions of teacher, principal and director of special education programs. In her tenure, she has lead one school to receive a national blue ribbon from the US Department of Education and another school was recognized by the Center for Education Reform as one of the top 50 charter schools in the nation. In addition, Mrs. Taylor enjoys spending time with family, riding her Harley, quilting, reading a good book and traveling. Mrs. Taylor is excited about the Better Together initiative within Breakthrough Schools and looks forward to being part of the supportive team for all students.

Sabrina Elrad | Breakthrough Public Schools

Allison Elrad

Exceptional Student Education Compliance Manager (Preps)

Now bringing more than 15 years of experience in education, Allison started her journey supporting exceptional students in the state of Colorado in 1998. In 2013, Allison returned to Cleveland to spend more time with family, when she joined Breakthrough Public Schools. As both a teacher and leader (throughout her time at Breakthrough), Allison has maintained an unwavering commitment to driving equitable educational opportunities and outcomes for exceptional learners within urban communities. She believes strongly that with the right support at the right time, ALL students deserve, and are capable of, reaching their full potential. Additionally, Allison is determined to build and sustain meaningful relationships with students and families, since relationships are the core of our lived experiences. In her spare time Allison likes to read, takes walks and spend time in nature. She’s ready to hit the ground running in her new role on the network academic team! One of her favorite quotes: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela.

ESE AT BREAKTHROUGH

"At Breakthrough Public Schools, we have always prioritized providing our scholars with top-notch, quality instruction. This year, however, I am so inspired by and enthusiastic about the hard work and intentionality that has gone into ensuring that all of our scholars are able to access and apply the abundant skills and rich content set forth by our team of vested educators. The planning and vision of the Exceptional Student Education program highlights our core values of equity and inclusiveness in education, and I am looking forward to seeing our scholars soar and excel higher than their imaginations could even fathom –and it will be because they were pushed, equipped, motivated, and challenged."

Dr. Jasmine Foster

Principal

“During my time with Breakthrough Public Schools, I have become better as a student and a person. My grades were low and I was nervous about participating in class discussions. With more support, I started to get answers right and my grades became A’s and B’s. This helped me to not be shy and gain confidence in myself. Now, I’m excited to learn algebra!”

5th Grader at Citizens Academy

“It has been a pleasure to work as an Intervention Specialist for the Breakthrough Schools for the past 7 years. Over the years working within the Exceptional Students Department has brought me so much joy. The teachers within our department have a “whatever it takes” approach to reaching successful outcomes with our students. Our department keeps growing each year with a centered focus on student growth, achievement, and well-being. I am super excited to connect with my students and their families this year and continue to grow our community of learners."

Renee Owens

Intervention Specialist

Video Gallery

We work together, and are ready for anything that comes our way. Please enjoy these videos to get a sense of what it is like to be a member of the #BreakthroughFamily.

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