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!
Grow your career with the Berks County Intermediate Unit! We are seeking certified preschool teachers, paraeducators, sign language interpreters, a family engagement worker, a job coach, and a speech therapist.
Visit berksiu.org/joinourteam for more information!
"At Wyomissing High School, a simple game is making a profound impact. The school’s Unified Bocce Ball program is breaking down barriers, fostering inclusion, and bringing students of all abilities together through teamwork and shared experiences."
In this Superintendents' Forum, Dr. Melissa Woodard, Superintendent of Wyomissing Area School District, highlights how bocce has become a popular sport in a number of area schools, providing an opportunity for all students to connect with one another.
To read the full article, visit: https://www.berksiu.org/article/2054430
Did you know this week is Public Schools Week? Public Schools Week is an annual, week-long celebration devoted to recognizing and celebrating the remarkable contributions and accomplishments of educators and education advocates within our public schools and the communities they impact.
The BCIU is proud to serve and support the 18 public school districts and two Career and Technology Centers in Berks County in their mission to inspire and educate! #PSW2025
Please join the Berks County Intermediate Unit in congratulating and celebrating the February 2025 BCIU Employee-of-the-Month, Audra Schappell!
Audra is a Security Supervisor in the Office of Operations and has worked at the BCIU for 16 years.
Laura Johnston, English Teacher at the Learning Academy at Thomas Ford, shared, “Nobody is more deserving to be named Employee of the Month than Audra Schappell. Not only has she become a great asset to this organization, but she has been a proven leader since her time as a security specialist here at The Learning Academy. She was a true leader in our building. She made connections with students that enabled her to be a mentor in their lives showing them grace, compassion, and respect while still urging them to be their best. She made connections with staff in this building that will be cherished for a lifetime. I am proud to work with her.”
#FunFact: Audra has been practicing real estate for 20 years; she does this part-time for her family and friends.
The Berks County Intermediate Unit has a full-time position available to maintain, clean, and assume primary responsibility for the building areas owned and/or occupied by the BCIU. General custodial duties will include cleaning floors, carpets, bathrooms, emptying trash receptacles, etc.
BCIU Learning Center at Pine Forge (Boyertown / Douglassville area) 4:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m., 35 hours/week, 12 months/year, $16.34/hour.
Apply online at www.berksiu.org/jobline. Job ID: 2162. EOE.
BCIU staff embraced the Valentine’s Day spirit, sporting festive reds and pinks to celebrate the holiday. Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day!
