We are pleased to announce that Kasey Hancock, Intervention Specialist at Harry Russell Elementary, is being inducted into the Autism & Low-Incidence Coaching Team’s A-LIST (Autism Low Incidence Support Team). The A-LIST is comprised of selected professionals who exhibit best practices in serving the needs of students who have autism or other complex, low-incidence disabilities.
Information about the A-List from the The Montgomery County Educational Service Center (MCESC) states: Our A-LIST began in 2012 in an effort to recognize outstanding individuals who had exceeded the high expectations of our coaching process, and who represented the best that our region had to offer to students with disabilities. Only a small fraction of the educators we coach each year are nominated. The A-LIST truly represents the BEST professionals in our region. The goal of the MCESC Autism & Low-Incidence Coaching Team is to build the capacity of our region’s administrators, teachers, intervention specialists, related service providers, and paraprofessionals to serve children with autism and other complex disabilities. The A-LIST serves a critical role in that mission by maintaining a multi-disciplinary network of outstanding practitioners across the Miami Valley. We often refer our coaching teams to our A-LIST members for practical, “in the trenches” perspectives, advice, and occasional modeling of best practices.
Mrs. Hancock was nominated by Carol Dittoe who is a Speech-Language Pathologist, Certified Autism Specialist, and Autism and Low Incidence Coaching Team member with the Montgomery County Educational Service Center. The nomination stated, “Over the years, I have been impressed with your ability to meet the needs of the most challenging students. You look at the whole child and strive to meet their biological, emotional, and educational needs. I have seen your implementation of evidence-based strategies such as structure, sensory, and visual supports. You are a great team player and demonstrate the ability to collaborate with others to support shared goals. I love that you make learning fun for the students. The adults in your classroom have expressed how they value your guidance and support. I feel that your classroom is a great example of best practices in action and that you would be a good role model for other teachers.”
Mrs. Hancock has been with West Carrollton Schools for 12 years working with special needs students. She focuses on the whole child including social and emotional learning and sensory needs. Some of the activities her students have enjoyed are music therapy through the University of Dayton and exercises from AIM for the Handicapped. Based on individual student needs, her students receive occupational, physical and speech therapy. Mrs. Hancock said, “West Carrollton feels like home. It’s hard to imagine being anywhere else. I love having the freedom to use my creativity.”
Mrs. Hancock will be inducted into the A-LIST at a reception at the MCESC in May.