Reynolds Center/FableVision Bring Creative TLC to NYC's D75, Largest Special Needs District in Nation
Paul Reynolds, CEO and Co-Founder of FableVision and Dr. Denine Jimmerson, Creativity Curriculum & Evaluation Specialist with the Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning, and Creativity, were privileged to spend the day working and learning with NYC Department of Education’s District 75 (D75) educators during their February, 2016 Middle School After School Institute at John Dewey High School in Brooklyn.
D75 is the largest special needs district in the nation, and is on the forefront of adopting creative educational technology opportunities for their students, and conducting program efficacy of emerging best-practices.
Paul shared his “Create Bravely” presentation in which he encourages ALL learners – of ANY age - to have the courage to “make one’s mark.”
He celebrated D75 teachers for their focus on the 4 Cs (collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity) – and finding ways for all their students – no matter how challenged – to benefit from these learning opportunities.
He showed a short animated film called “Above & Beyond” which showcases the transformational effect of the 4Cs on learning. The film was adapted as a book called “Going Places” (published bySimon & Schuster) which recently won the Library of Congress MassBook Award for “Best Picture Book of the Year.” Paul also spoke of the need for the “5th C” … compassion, which is so important in assigning positive purpose to student learning.
Denine presented the new release of the My Awesome Publishing Company - writing/publishing software for elementary/middle school students. Thanks to the fall pilot and ongoing teacher/student feedback, the software is blossoming into a very valuable tool that allows students and teachers to write, share and publish their own books.
Paul and Denine followed the day’s workshops with a visit to the Middle School After School (MSAS) Program at P053K to see the teachers and students in action. The MSAS students at P053K were kind enough to present their book drafts and animations to their visitors.
As Denine shared with Donna Dimino, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction in D75, “The student work was #FabAwesome and the teachers were so inspiring! Thank you for a truly awesome day. FableVision Learning appreciates D75 and all that they do for their students.
District 75 ROCKS!”
About D75: District 75 provides citywide educational, vocational, and behavior support programs for students who are on the autism spectrum, have significant cognitive delays, are severely emotionally challenged, sensory impaired and/or multiply disabled. The district provides services to students in a variety of supported environments that include: multi-sited special education schools, home and hospital instruction, institutional facilities, and inclusive settings in community schools and community-based vocational training sites. District 75, under the leadership of Interim Acting Superintendent Ketler Louissaint , is part of the New York City Department of Education (DOE) which is the largest school district in the US, serving 1.1 million students in over 1,800 schools.