April 26, 2010 – Barbara McKeon Guest Lectures at UMass

Barbara was invited to guest lecture in a class called Clinical Teaching Seminar, a graduate education course for students who are entering the education workforce after this semester.  She presented on current topics in education such as Universal Design for Learning, integrated curriculum, integrated service model, and sound teaching practice for students with special needs.

April 20, 2010 – Aaron Academy Referenced in eSchool News Article

Check it out!
Health education gets a federal boost

To encourage students to adopt a healthier lifestyle, one recent lesson at Aaron Academy, a private special-education school in New York, had students research the nutritional content of popular food items online, then download this information to their mobile computers.
Barbara McKeon, director of Aaron Academy, said part of the school’s mission is to provide a 21st-century learning environment, and teachers embrace technology in all curriculum areas.
Each student receives a MacBook and an iPod Touch, both of which are used for everyday instruction.
“Students did research on food labels, so they went to [the food companies’] web sites … and looked at the information, [then] recorded that information on their MacBook,” said McKeon, explaining the lesson on nutrition.

April 13, 2010 – Community Service
for Earth Day
Today, the Aaron Academy students and staff spent several hours volunteering in Morningside Park.  Students collected and sorted organic and inorganic matter, aerated soil for planting, and weeded grassy areas.  They made connections to science curricula in examining insects and worms, and the natural processes by which an ecosystem is supported.
Our host, Joe Spano is the district Gardener and Horticulture Trainer for Morningside Park led the students through the different activities and provided instruction in horticulture.  Mr. Spano provided an abundance of tools such as rakes, hoes, pickaxes, trash pickers, shovels and pitchforks for the students to use in their work.
Today’s community service activity was a great success and the students continue to reflect on the rewarding experience of beautifying the park.  They were able to see the results of their hard work and recognize that their efforts have made a positive impact for the entire community.