Y.A.L.E. Cherry Hill students in the YTV video production school-to-work program went on a field trip to the Dorrance H. Hamilton Media Commons at WHYY TV 12 in Philadelphia. Students were treated to a tour of a professional television and radio broadcast facility where they were able to observe actual programming being produced in studio.

Afterwards, our students teamed up in small groups to write a brief script about what they had learned on the tour. They then entered the Lincoln Financial Digital Education Studio to tape a mock “news anchor” report as their classmates watched from the audience.

Later, after returning from the trip, YTV student workers assembled the video above from the footage they recorded at the WHYY studios.

Our thanks to the staff of the Media Commons especially the media production instructors who welcomed us and taught us about the daily operations of a public radio and television station.

Mallon is credited with building Y.A.L.E.’s comprehensive vocational and school-to-work program from the ground up. Working along with The Y.A.L.E. School’s founders, Mallon established the school’s Industrial Arts programs, the School-to-Work program, the Transition Curriculum and Mobility programs. He worked with Fred Gruber and Margaret Chapman in the development of the post secondary transition curriculum, which eventually developed into the current Standard Nine Transition Concentration. Now, part of his work includes supporting students at job sites and internship settings in the community. Mallon’s program helps students gain real world job experiences, and build the skills needed for employment.

Fred Clark, Critical Thinking teacher at Y.A.L.E.’s Cherry Hill campus has had the privilege of being one of the few people to work under Mallon in the wood shop class. “Not only did he teach me the tricks of the trade, but he also taught me what it means to be patient and supportive,” said Clark.

“When I first came here, Vince taught me how to meet the individual needs of every student with compassion and understanding. I have never met a kinder, more gentle or compassionate individual and I’m a better person for having had him in my life,” added Scott Reader, who currently teaches Y.A.L.E.’s Industrial Arts classes.

Mallon’s contribution to the students of Y.A.L.E. School extends well beyond the classroom. His passion for music has inspired generations of students who shared his love of playing and performing. Mallon continues to organize and advise Y.A.L.E.’s annual Talent Show, a multi-day extravaganza of students and staff members performing and celebrating original and beloved musical pieces that has recently expanded to include comedy, dance and puppetry.

“Vince was ‘instrumental’ in the creation of the talent show which would never have gotten off the ground without his perseverance and determination. The kids absolutely love it,” said Mark Stermer, Cherry Hill’s Visual Arts teacher and a co-worker of Mallon’s for 23 years.

During Y.A.L.E. School Cherry Hill’s Extended School Year summer program, Mallon teaches a Music Appreciation course designed to inform and entertain students with the history of music. Mallon also coaches and mentors individual student musicians, arranging field trips to local recording studios and community performances. Always encouraging and patient, he has helped countless students express themselves through music while building confidence and self esteem.

“Vince is an architect of inspiration,” said Margaret Chapman, coordinator of Y.A.L.E. Cherry Hill’s Standard 9 Transition Concentration. “He sees what’s needed to fill a space in a young person’s life and builds opportunities to give that student a foundation for the future.”

After 33 years with Y.A.L.E., Mallon will retire at the end of June. He reflects back on the work he has done. “I am lucky to have had the opportunity to participate in the development and implementation of vocational programs that have improved students’ performance in workplace settings. It has been professionally rewarding to work with students in ways that make a lasting difference in their lives.”

“Despite Vince’s humility, we all see his unmistakable style in everything he’s accomplished over the years. His creative solutions and innovative ideas led to solid programs that in many ways define the Y.A.L.E. School experience for students in every graduating class,” Chapman added.

“We really want our students and their families to experience the things other students do,” said Ann Davidson, principal at the Voorhees campus. “In planning the prom, we worked to create an event that would be memorable and enjoyable.”

For those with autism, a traditional prom is often too long, too loud, too dark and too crowded. Also, most proms are held in an unfamiliar place, like a hotel or restaurant, which can add to the challenge. “We planned our prom to be ‘autism friendly,’” added Dr. Rachael Sautter, Ph.D., BCBA-D who supervises the Voorhees autism program.

Teachers and staff are volunteering their time on a Friday night so students can experience this springtime tradition. After dropping their sons and daughters off at the school, parents will get the night off to enjoy dinner or a movie.

Team Y.A.L.E., this year donning neon tee shirts, has been part of the event for more than a decade.

“It is a great way to raise money and awareness, but even more than that, it is a great way to network and meet others who share an interest in autism,” said Emily Hughes, a teacher at the Audubon campus and co-captain of the team. Together with co-captain Stephanie Morze, who has been organizing Y.A.L.E.’s participation in the event for years, Team Y.A.L.E.’s parents, students and teachers met other like-minded advocates.

“Our parents and students met other people, exchanged phone numbers and learned about local resources for support and services,” added Morze. “It was a great day!”

Working in close cooperation with the Atlantic Cape Family Support Organization, students participated in confidence-building activities, lectures on mental health and a drum circle led by Mike Veny, a nationally recognized professional drummer and inspirational speaker. Other speakers included Andrea Burleigh, FSO Director; Dr. Inua Momodu, Psychiatrist; Elizabeth Manley, Executive Director from the New Jersey Children’s System of Care; Dr. Buzz Mingin, Y.A.L.E. School therapist and martial arts expert.

Veny spent years facilitating drum circles for children with disabilities. He recently presented a workshop at the 14th Annual Moving Forward in Children’s Mental Health Conference which explored the benefits of involving children in music, and drumming as a means of improving interpersonal skills and self-esteem.

“We are always looking for creative ways to help increase awareness, connect with our community and reach our students and their families,” said Alvin Doyle, principal of the Northfield Campus. “It was an honor to have Mike Veny join us and share his upbeat style, energy and his positive message of hope.”

I have been consistently impressed with the adolescent and transition programs at Y.A.L.E. While maintaining a solid commitment to evidence-based intervention, they regularly ‘push the envelope’ to apply best practices in the community, the typical school environment and the work place. This broader definition of ‘educational context’ allows them to develop and implement quality services to adolescents with autism, their families and the communities in which they live.

More testimonials about the Y.A.L.E. School from experts in the field of autism and special education are available on our Testimonials From Experts page.

Gerhardt has more than 30 years experience utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis in support of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders. He has written articles and book chapters on the needs of adolescents and adults with ASD and has presented nationally and internationally on this topic. He served as Chairman of the Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research, is on the Editorial Board of Behavior Analysis in Practice and on numerous professional advisory boards, including the Autism Society of America.

Dr. Allen is a licensed pediatric neuropsychologist, certified school psychologist and certified brain injury specialist.

“My passion is in promoting and integrating brain-based learning approaches in the classroom,” said Allen. “I am honored to have been asked by the Brain Injury Alliance to speak about this important topic and to describe ways for educators to design and implement ‘return to school’ programming for students with concussions and other brain injuries.”

To reserve a virtual seat, register at bianj.org/concussion-in-the-classroom

One thing that really makes Joey Lockwood happy these days is getting mail.
Joey, who is low- to mid-functioning on the autistic spectrum, will turn 11 at the end of the month, and his mother put out a call on Facebook for letters and drawings to be sent to him via the U.S. Postal Service.

Read the rest of the article on the Press of Atlantic City website.