Total Communication Academy School

Purpose

This academy has its roots on the 1990’s. While Archbishop Ryan School began in 1912, it actually served only oral deaf children for most of the century. Realizing that many children were being sent away from the school because they could not develop oral skills and that these children would have no opportunity for a catholic education, the Sisters of Saint Joseph began making plans to admit children who needed the support of sign language in separate classes. In 1994 the first class of children for what is now known as the Total Communication Academy began.

In this academy, children develop language through the use of American Sign Language – gestures, handshapes, body language, expression – together with written and spoken language exercises. The regular education curriculum is modified to meet the needs of each individual child.

As appropriate, students attend mainstream classes with the help of a skilled interpreter. Students in this academy are challenged to develop their highest potential as they prepare to make their unique contribution to tomorrow’s society.

Facility

The Archbishop Ryan Total Communication Academy resides in the St. Gabriel School of Norwood, PA. Students are included in mainstream classes at St. Gabriel, in accordance with their individual skills and abilities.

Faculty

Lisa Leitner, MA. CCC-SLP

Lisa Leitner is a Speech Language Pathologist, certified by the State of PA. and the American Speech Language Hearing Association, serves the children of our Oral Academy three days each week of the school year. Lisa is extremely interested in the development of language in each child. She brings a caring attitude and strives to challenge the students to develop appropriate language in therapy lessons, in ordinary conversation and in periodic visits to the classrooms. She s extremely dedicated and has a special talent for finding just the right exercise for each child. Our students love Speech class because Miss Lisa makes it so much fun!

Kristen Alexander, MA, CCC/A

Kristen Alexander is our school audiologist, and has been certified by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) for over 20 years. She has been with our school since 1998. Kristen is responsible for setting up and maintaining the school's various FM systems as well as acting as liaison between the school and each child's personal audiologist. She can perform hearing tests in our sound booth if needed, or do emergency hearing aid repairs. Kristen loves working with our children and has made an effort to develop a personal connection with as many of the students as possible.

Mary Roberts, BA

Mary Gillogly Roberts is a graduate of Flagler College in Saint Augustine Florida where she earned her BA in Secondary Education, English and Deaf Studies. In 1992, with additional course work at Converse College in Spartanburg SC, Mary earned a BA in Deaf Education. Mary continued her studies with post-graduate work at Gallaudet University in Washington DC.

Mary has worked with young children and their families since she was a young girl. She has developed a range of cultural empathies and skills that make her service effective. Mary possesses excellent communication skills in English and American Sign Language. She embraces the concept of “parents as partners” and approaches her professional life with this motto.

Megan Welch O’Malley, BS

Megan is a graduate of Syracuse University where she earned her BS degree in Philosophy and Theatre. Megan is presently continuing her studies at Saint Joseph University. Megan came to us from Saint Francis School for the Deaf in New York. Her supervisor there remarks “Megan is a team player. She is always ready to wrok with the children. . . She is an asset to the classroom. She always provides the students with a loving, structured environment.”

Judith Collier, BS

Judy Collier, a graduate of Saint Joseph University earned her BS in Elementary Education. Judy graduated with high honors. She continues to work on the improvement of her signing skills. Judy is a great teacher. She loves her children and is quite successful in creating a nurturing environment in which each child can freely learn and reach his/her potential. Judy agreed to be the Chairperson of the Middle States Re-Accreditation Committee and saw our school through the accreditation process flawlessly. Judy also holds associate membership in the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Bridget Morina-Meyer, BS

Interpreter

Bridget is a graduate of Northwestern University in Boston Massachusetts. Her undergraduate degree is in Speech Communication. Currently, bridget is a student at Community College of Philadelphia where she is working toward her interpreter certificate. Bridget has earned a score of 3.9 on the Educational Interpreter Proficiency Assessment.

Patricia Ann Sparling, MS

Patty Sparling, a graduate of Hunter College in New York earned her MS in Deaf Education. Patty came to us from the JHS47 School for the Deaf in New York City where she was employed as a teacher. Patty received her PA certification in 2004 and began her work as an Early Interventionist shortly after that. Patty visits homes of newly diagnosed deaf and hard of hearing babies and offers weekly support to their families.