Abington’s A.C.T.I.V.E. Academy is a transition program designed for young adults, ages 18-22, with IEPs. The A.C.T.I.V.E. Academy utilizes the classroom and community as it teaches our students vocational, travel training, and independent living skills. Self-awareness, self-care, and safety are key components of the A.C.T.I.V.E. curriculum. Our goal is to support our students reach their maximum potential of becoming responsible and active members of their community by gaining independent living and workplace readiness skills in order to become productive, happy, successful adults.
The A.C.T.I.V.E. Academy transition program includes explicit instruction on the various skills necessary to be a successful adult. These areas include independent living, accessing the community, travel training, workplace readiness, cooking, self-care, safety in the home, workplace, and community, in addition to functional academics.
A key component of the program is a volunteer work-study program in which the young adults learn employability skills while working in the community in preparation for their independence in the adult world of work. At this time, we have meaningful partnerships with many businesses and organizations within the Abington community including locations such as Abington-Jefferson Hospital, CVS, the YMCA, Rydal Park Assisted Living, Chartwell's Food Service, and Holy Redeemer Hospital.
Hi, this is my 20th year teaching at Abington Senior High School! While I have taught Read180, Itinerant Support, and Emotional Support in the past, I have found the most joy teaching students of transition age since creating the A.C.T.I.V.E. Academy with Mrs. Rafter in 2015.
I graduated from Saint Joseph's University in 2002 and completed my Master's Degree (also at Saint Joe's) in 2007 in the areas of Educational Leadership and Reading.
I live in Ambler with my husband, Paul, and two sons, Aiden and Chase.
I am grateful each day to have to privilege of teaching the A.C.T.I.V.E. students and watching them grow into successful, resilient adults.
I have been teaching in the Abington School District for over 29 years! While all of my years have been amazing, I too have found the most rewarding experiences in teaching young adults has been in the A.C.T.I.V.E. Academy.
I received my Special and Elementary Education degrees from Gwynedd-Mercy University and my Master's degree in Reading from Arcadia University.
My husband and I have four children; who are all young adults and now! We enjoy visiting friends in family on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where I grew up.
My love of teaching and helping young people experience success and confidence grows everyday!
Cara Gimbel: carolinegimbel@abington.k12.pa.us
Kathy Rafter: kathleenrafter@abington.k12.pa.us
Phone: (215) 884-4700 ext. 2161
We prefer to be contacted through email. Make sure you include details about your concern/question and how soon you need a reply. We will do our best to answer it by the end of the day but please understand that emails may not be answered until the next day. If it is an emergency, please call us in the classroom.
