Berks County IU 14, PA -

Today, students in one of our Head Start classrooms participated in Tasty Tuesday for #WOYC25. The children concluded their gardening unit by making homemade granola bars, combining healthy ingredients with valuable learning moments and a delicious hands-on experience. Cooking experiences in early childhood education support the development of cognitive and fine motor skills, promote healthy habits, and build self-confidence. Activities like these offer engaging, real-world connections that enrich the learning environment and celebrate the curiosity of young minds. #TastyTuesday #EarlyLearning #HealthyChoices #LearningThroughCooking

Thank you to Mrs. Hannah Barrick, J.D., Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO), for joining this morning’s Committee on Legislative Action (COLA) meeting. Mrs. Barrick shared timely updates on PASBO’s legislative priorities, the state budget, and other key issues impacting public education. Her insights equipped leaders from Berks County school districts, career and technology centers, and the BCIU with valuable knowledge to strengthen their advocacy efforts. We are grateful for her time and expertise in supporting our shared mission to advance public education in Berks County and beyond!

The Berks County Intermediate Unit is hiring a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)! Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of students? Join our team and provide expert support in behavior analysis, intervention planning, and adaptive skill development. Position: BCBA Schedule: Full-time, 10-month position Salary: $49,919–$95,005 (based on education & experience) Benefits: Health, vision, dental, PSERS retirement, and more! Make an impact—one behavior plan at a time. Apply now and help students thrive: https://www.applitrack.com/berksiu/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Certified+Special+Education EOE. Job ID: 2027.

During Week of the Young Child (WOYC), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrates families as each child's first and most important teacher. Families play a crucial role in supporting early learning through love, encouragement, and engagement. Research shows children with engaged families are more likely to earn higher grades and have better attendance. Strong family connections help build a nurturing foundation for lifelong learning and success. #WOYC25 #EarlyLearning #FamilyFirst

The BCIU is hiring a School Psychologist starting August 11, 2025! Support students ages 3–21 and collaborate with school teams to provide essential psycho-educational services. Full-time, 8 am - 3:30 pm | 35 hours/week, 10 months/year Starting salary: $49,919–$65,377 Benefits included (PSERS eligible!) PA certification required Apply now to make a meaningful impact: https://www.applitrack.com/berksiu/onlineapp/_application.aspx?posJobCodes=2184&posFirstChoice=Certified%20Special%20Education&posSpecialty=Psychologist EOE.

Yesterday evening, 21 exceptional educators in Berks County were nominated for the prestigious BCIU Annie Sullivan Award, recognizing their outstanding service and unwavering dedication to advocating for the well-being of students with disabilities. We are pleased to announce that Mrs. Tracey Miller, High School Life Skills Support Teacher, Governor Mifflin School District, has been honored as the recipient of the 2025 Annie Sullivan Award. Congratulations, Mrs. Miller! The BCIU extends a heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Tracey Miller and the other 20 nominees for their meaningful work and contributions that positively impact lives throughout Berks County. To discover more about Mrs. Tracey Miller's commendable work within the Governor Mifflin School District, please visit: https://www.berksiu.org/article/2126099

Happy Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! Today, we celebrate the incredible paraprofessionals who make a difference every day—supporting students, assisting teachers, and creating positive learning environments. Your dedication, patience, and hard work do not go unnoticed. The BCIU is proud to recognize and celebrate the dedication of our incredible paraprofessionals! We also extend our appreciation to paraprofessionals across Berks County and the Commonwealth for their invaluable contributions to education. Thank you for all that you do!

Here is a sneak peek at the incredible artwork that is currently on display at our 43rd Annual Secondary Art Exhibit! Visit the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts to see creative pieces from schools across Berks County. This year’s show features nearly 1,700 works of art from more than 1,200 student artists! The show runs through April 30, 2025, and admission is free. The Secondary Art Exhibit is a collaboration between the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen, Berks Arts, Fast Lane Art, and the Berks County Intermediate Unit. #FeatureFriday

The 12th annual “STEM Design Challenge” continued today at the BCIU Main Office! Today, 16 teams of sixth through eighth grade students from across Berks County joined forces to tackle an innovative project. Their mission? Focus on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (UN Sustainable Development Goal 9) by designing a prototype that addresses a real-world problem related to infrastructure, transportation, or urban development. Using K’Nex or Engino pieces, these young minds are constructing prototypes to bring their ideas to life. The winning teams are: 1st Place – Team Name: Team WAVE - Wind-Assisted Vehicle Engineering, from Twin Valley Middle School 2nd Place – Team Name: Infrastructure Initiators, from Oley Valley Middle School 3rd Place – Team Name: Flood Fighters, from St. Catharine's School Fan Favorite – Team Name: Adventure Bay Inventors, from Wilson Southern Middle School Congratulations to the winning teams and thank you to all those who contributed to this event!

"Under the leadership of Jared Sparks, principal of Boyertown Area High School, along with the support and assistance of his administrative team, faculty, and staff, many areas of continuous improvement have been implemented since the start of the 2024-2025 school year." In this Superintendents' Forum, Dr. Scott Davidheiser, Superintendent of Boyertown Area School District, discusses a change in technology procedures at Boyertown Area Senior High. To read the full article, visit: https://www.berksiu.org/article/2111359

Students at Wyomissing Hills Elementary School had the opportunity to experience the magic of music through the Music in the Schools program! This engaging assembly, led by professional musicians and educators from the Reading Musical Foundation (RMF), introduced students to the woodwinds instrument family as part of this year’s focus. Coordinated by the BCIU Office of Professional Learning, in partnership with RMF, Music in the Schools brings interactive concerts to elementary schools across Berks County—helping students explore and select musical instruments.

Today at the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU) Day on the Hill in Harrisburg, Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) leaders engaged with state legislators and policy experts to advocate for the more than 70,000 students in our region. Officials from the Lancaster Lebanon Intermediate Unit and the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit joined BCIU officials for legislative meetings with those State Senators representing our intermediate unit regions. We had the opportunity to jointly highlight important education priorities, including early childhood education, special education, and behavioral health services impacting our students and educators. We sincerely appreciate the continued dedication of our Berks County state legislators who met with us or received advocacy packets during our time at the State Capitol. Berks County state legislators include: • Sen. Chris Gebhard • Sen. Scott Martin • Sen. Katie Muth • Sen. Tracy Pennycuick • Sen. Judy Schwank • Rep. Jamie Barton • Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz • Rep. Eric J. Weaknecht • Rep. David M. Maloney Sr. • Rep. Mark M. Gillen • Rep. Manuel Guzman Jr. • Rep. Jacklyn Rusnock • Rep. David H. Zimmerman We thank our state officials for their ongoing collaboration and support of high-quality education in Berks County and across the Commonwealth! Want to learn more or get involved? Visit https://www.berksiu.org/page/advocacy.

Excitement was in the air as we kicked off the 12th annual STEM Design Challenge at the BCIU Main Office today! 40 teams of fourth-grade and fifth-grade students from across Berks County joined forces to tackle an innovative project. Their mission? Focus on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (UN Sustainable Development Goal 9) by designing a prototype that addresses a real-world problem related to infrastructure, transportation, or urban development. Using K’Nex or Engino pieces, these young minds are constructing prototypes to bring their ideas to life. The winning teams are: 1st Place – Team Name: Sweet Read City Transportation Authority, from Brecknock Elementary School 2nd Place – Team Name: K’Nex Creators of Cumru, from Cumru Elementary School Tied for 3rd Place – Team Name: STEM Gems, from Oley Valley Elementary School Tied for 3rd Place – Team Name: Artistic Architects, from Oley Valley Elementary School Fan Favorite – Team Name: Beauty & Brains, from Whitfield Elementary School Congratulations to the winning teams and thank you to all those who contributed to this event!

Please join the Berks County Intermediate Unit in congratulating and celebrating the March 2025 BCIU Employee-of-the-Month, Katelyn Gruber! Katelyn is a Professional Development and Technology Project Specialist in the Office of Professional Learning and has worked at the BCIU for almost 3 years. Katie Kehm, Program Administrator in the Office of Professional Learning, shared, “No matter the task, Katelyn approaches it with a commitment to excellence. She is always willing to learn new skills and adapt to changing needs, ensuring that projects and initiatives receive the best possible support.” #FunFact: Katelyn used to twirl fire when she was a high school majorette.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 5th annual Career Ready Berks Night at the Reading Royals on Friday, March 14! Berks County students enjoyed free admission to the game while exploring career opportunities and connecting with local businesses. A special thank you to the 14 businesses and education organizations that participated in this year’s event and helped provide free admission for students. Your support is making a meaningful impact in shaping the future workforce! #CareerReadyBerks

Representatives from the BCIU attended the 70th PASBO Annual Conference at the Hershey Lodge on March 13-14, 2025. Through a collaborative effort across the organization, our team showcased key services offered by the Office of Information Technology and the Executive Office, engaging with current customers and connecting with new potential partners at our exhibit hall booth. Employees from the Offices of Business Services and Operations presented and actively participated in breakout sessions and networking opportunities, reinforcing the BCIU’s commitment to business and operational excellence for the students and schools we serve. We are grateful for the opportunity to support Pennsylvania’s schools and look forward to continuing these valuable conversations!

"We know the importance of early childhood literacy — reading is the gatekeeper of knowledge acquisition and opens pathways to opportunity." In this Superintendents' Forum, Dr. Christopher Beissel, Superintendent of Hamburg Area School District, highlights how childhood literacy is bolstered by access to books inside and outside school and from a young age. To read the full article, visit: https://www.berksiu.org/article/2086443

The Berks County Intermediate Unit is looking for a Job Coach to join our Pathways to Adult Living (PAL) Program at Wilson School District! In this full-time, 10-month role, you will provide on-site training and support to students with disabilities, helping them build vocational, social, and daily living skills. Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–3:00 PM (35 hours/week) Location: BCIU community site at Wilson School District Requirements: High school diploma/GED (or higher), valid PA driver’s license, and required clearances. Pay: $21.65/hour – High school diploma/GED; $22.05/hour – Bachelor’s degree Make a difference—apply today at berksiu.org/joinourteam (Search "Job Coach" under General Special Education on Frontline) Job ID: 2151. EOE.

Yesterday, the BCIU hosted the Berks STEM Connection Ecosystem Panel at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, bringing together educators and business leaders to bridge the gap between education and workforce needs. This event gave educators insight into the skills and qualities Berks County businesses seek in new hires. Through panel discussions and networking, valuable connections were made to ensure students are future-ready for STEM careers! As part of the Global STEM Ecosystems Initiative, the Berks STEM Connection Ecosystem is committed to fostering partnerships between schools and businesses to drive innovation in #STEM education. #FeatureFriday

Congratulations to the Schuylkill Valley School District (SVSD) team and Tod Witman, SVSD Academic Coach, on their victory in the 2024-2025 Academic Challenge playoffs today! Well done to the other two finalists, Daniel Boone Area School District (DBASD) and Wilson School District (WSD) for their impressive performances in this fast-paced academic competition! Schuylkill Valley will now advance to the state competition at the PA State Capitol in Harrisburg on May 2, 2025 along with teams from each of the 29 intermediate units in Pennsylvania. This year's Pennsylvania State Academic Competition is hosted by Representative John Lawrence. Best of luck to the Schuylkill Valley team as they represent Berks County at the state level, and thank you to all school teams who participated!