BCTN Shout Outs
Welcome Chris!
We are excited to welcome a student teacher from the University of Oregon! Not only can we provide a learning opportunity to prospective teachers, but our staff can learn new ways of teaching and supporting students. Chris has been working in transition for several years and is a great resource in getting students connected with outside opportunities! Glad to have you, Chris!
2023-24 Bethel Education Foundation Grants
"Delicious Discoveries"
The Delicious Discoveries project allows the BCTN program to have cooking opportunities with the students. The class would consist of direct teaching and hands-on learning to support students with communication, teamwork and social skills while working together to plan, shop and prepare a variety of meals.
"Uplifting Spirits"
Our hope is that by providing the students opportunities within the school day to participate in community leisure activities it will increase their overall student wellness such as: Sense of freedom, independence, and autonomy. As well as increase positive personal relationships and student attendance. Ideally these activities would support them in having a more positive outlook on life and give them additional purpose to come to school and to enjoy life just a little bit more!
farewell to natalie
In the beginning of 2023-24 school year we had to say goodbye to Natalie. They are a full time student in their University of Oregon masters program. To allow Natalie to focus on school, they decided it was best to leave the program. Good luck on your masters and you are always welcome to visit, Natalie!
Congratulations BCTN Graduates!
In June 2023 we had two students aging out of school services. We are so proud of both students, they will be missed and we wish them the best of luck on their next steps!
MEGI Class and LCDDS Visit
This past week BCTN welcomed a group of case managers from Lane County Developmental Disability Service (LCDDS). They came to learn about our program, meet students, and tell students and their support systems about the services available through the county.
We also completed the MEGI (Motivational Enhancement Group Intervention). MEGI is a 10 week class taught by a trained Transition Education Facilitator, that is funded by Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation. This year it was taught by Josh Barbour who is the Transition Network Facilitator for Lane, Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties. The class focuses on assisting students in exploring employment dreams, goals, challenges, and abilities. Students are able to share their MEGI Path presentation in their IEP Meeting and with outside agencies such as job developers, Personal Support Workers (PSW), and LCDDS or Brokerages. The MEGI Path presentation is a great way for students to advocate for themselves and to support other crucial transition support workers in getting to know them a little bit easier.
BCTN Class trip to Round1
What a great way for the BCTN students to enjoy the last day of school before spring break 2023. BCTN used a portion of our student wellness grant funding from the Bethel Education Foundation to take students on a class trip to Round1. This included bowling, games, and ice cream. Check this video out to see all of the fun and smiles that students and staff shared.
Congrats Natalie
Natalie has been with the BCTN program for the 2022/2023 school year. as an Educational Assistant. Natalie has been an integral part of supporting individual student needs and ensuring a smooth flow of schedules and with technology. We are so proud of Natalie for continuing her education by working towards their masters degree in education! Natalie will start the UOTeach MEd program in June of 2023. Way to go Natalie!
Welcome Oliver!
We are excited to welcome a student teacher from the University of Oregon! Student teaching is a great way both to train new teachers and bring new ideas into our program. Oliver has been teaching classes on social skills and community safety. BCTN has had the privilege of Oliver completing their practicum hours at BCTN for both winter and spring term of 2023. Thank you Oliver you are going to be an excellent teacher someday!
2023
Nikki Gilder current BCTN EA received grant money in the amount of $500 from the Bethel Education Foundation (BEF) for the BCTN Program. The class is called "The Social Chef". Students have been use the funds to grocery shop, cook, and practice table manners in public by ordering food at local restaurants.
"The Social Chef"
Edane Chism the BCTN teacher and program coordinator received grant money in the amount of $500 from the Bethel Education Foundation (BEF) for the BCTN Program. The name of the grant is "Let the Sunshine In". Students are able to use portions of the funding to focus on student wellness and overall personal enrichment A large focus of "Let the Sunshine In" is supporting the students with their mental health by getting them out of the building and living their best life! Activities have included: movie trip, trampoline park, bowling, and arcade.
"Let the Sunshine In"
Spencer Coleman is a former BCTN Behavioral Assistant. Spencer worked at BCTN from 2019 - 2022.
Eugene Weekly
Happening Person
2021
09/23/2021
“I like special education so much,” says Spencer Coleman, who has worked for three years as a behavioral assistant in the Bethel Community Transition Network (BCTN), a Bethel School District program that provides life-skills training beyond high school until age 21 to students with intellectual disabilities. “It involves learning about individual students more than pushing a particular curriculum. I like being there for the students.” Coleman is entering a masters of special education program at the University of Oregon this fall. His father, Lionel Coleman, who played football for the UO in the late 1960s, then for the L.A. Rams, is now retired from his own career in special education. Spencer himself excelled in football and basketball at South Eugene High School, and went on to play basketball at Eastern Arizona Junior College, the University of Montana, and Northwest Christian University in Eugene, then with semi-professional teams in Darwin and Shepparton, Australia. “It was great,” he says. “I was introduced to aboriginal culture and got to see ‘the bush.’ I came back home for three weeks and got my first education job. I was a teacher’s assistant, working one-on-one with kids who needed extra behavioral support.” On his next visit to Eugene, a year later, his dad informed him of a job opportunity at BCTN, and he canceled his plan to return to Australia. “I already knew about kids with various types of behavioral disabilities,” he notes. “Being raised by a special ed teacher helps. The kind of demeanor needed in this field is patience and understanding. The kids lack in communication abilities, but they’re often very smart.” BCTN students prepare for the world of work by volunteering at local agencies such as Food for Lane County, Greenhill Humane Society and NextStep Recycling. “After graduation, I’ll be a special ed teacher,” Coleman concludes. “I hope to set up my own program to push for the evolution of the learner.”
Farewell to Ronda 2019
At BCTN the students and the staff have the privilege of getting to work closely with eachother. We typically have students at BCTN for 3 years and that gives them time to truly build connections with each other and the staff. Ronda was an EA with the BCTN program from 2016 - 2019. We made this video to recognize all that she has done for the program. Best of luck to you Ronda in this new chapter of your life!