Support Programs

Deaf/Hard of Hearing support services provide specialized support to help students who are deaf or hard of hearing succeed in school, including: sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, captioning, and specialized teachers. These services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each student, ensuring equal access to education and opportunities for success.

Teacher of the Deaf/HH: Michael Prezioso, michael.prezioso@aiu3.net

Educational Audiologist: Nicole Wasel, nicole.wasel@aiu3.net

Tier 3/Learning Support Teachers

Learning Support Teachers

Life skills/autistic support services are provided to students that are provided to students with disabilities that require in a school district refer to specialized programs and services designed to help students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other developmental disabilities acquire the skills needed to live more independent, successful lives.

Occupational therapy (OT) in schools helps students develop essential skills for daily activities. OT services focus on improving fine motor skills, sensory processing, self-care abilities, and social interactions. By working with students to enhance tasks like handwriting, organization, and focus, OT supports academic success and independence in school and beyond.

Occupational Therapists
Lisa Carner, OTR, lisa.karner@aiu3.net
Sheena Bonner, COTA, sheena.bonner@aiu3.net

Physical therapy (PT) in schools helps students improve strength, coordination, balance, and mobility. PT supports students in participating in classroom activities, physical education, and daily tasks by enhancing movement and addressing posture or mobility challenges. The goal is to help students engage fully in school and promote physical well-being.

Physical Therapists
Stephanie Cormier, PT, stephanie.cormier@aiu3.net
Dan Paolucci, PTA, dan.paolucci@aiu3.net

Speech and language support in schools provides specialized services to help students with communication challenges. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with students to address issues such as speech articulation, language comprehension, language use, and social communication skills. Support can include speech sessions, classroom strategies, and collaboration with teachers and parents. The goal is to help students overcome barriers to communication, improving their academic, and social success.

PAES Lab
The West Jefferson Hills School District is proud to offer the Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES) Lab, a hands-on, work-simulated environment that helps students explore career interests, develop job skills, and build independence. The PAES Lab is an innovative program designed to support students—particularly those with individualized education plans (IEPs) or transition needs—as they prepare for life after high school.

Inside the PAES Lab, students engage in real-world tasks across five key career areas: Business/Marketing, Construction/Industrial, Computer/Technology, Processing/Production, and Consumer/Service. Students “clock in,” follow workplace procedures, complete tasks using real tools, and are guided to work independently while staff collect valuable data on performance, preferences, and skills.

The PAES Lab promotes:

• Career exploration and discovery of individual interests
• Development of job-specific and soft skills
• Workplace behaviors such as time management, following directions, and problem-solving
• Self-confidence and independence in a supportive setting
• This structured, data-driven program is a vital part of our district’s commitment to preparing students for success beyond the classroom. Whether a student is planning to enter the workforce, attend post-secondary education, or pursue vocational training, the PAES Lab helps ensure they are equipped with the tools and experience needed to take the next step in their journey.

Brewing Success
TJHS Life Skills/Autistic Support program participates in the Brewing Success Program with Coffee Tree Roasters! This program helps provide job opportunities and learning experiences to students in local school districts in the Pittsburgh area. There is a mini Coffee Tree Cafe in TJHS that students help run and operate. Students also take monthly trips to the coffee warehouse to gather supplies needed to run the coffee shop.  

Community Based Instruction
Community Based Instruction goes beyond the classroom to bring learning into places like grocery stores, restaurants, and local businesses. These outings are thoughtfully planned and directly aligned with each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. By practicing tasks such as handling money, reading signs, or placing food orders, students gain the confidence and skills they need to live more independently and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Our educators and support staff work closely with families and community partners to ensure each experience is safe, age-appropriate, and tailored to meet the unique needs of our students. Whether it's learning to budget at a supermarket or gaining work experience at a job site, CBI helps prepare students for life beyond high school—with dignity, independence, and a sense of purpose.
 

Best Buddies

We are proud to offer the Best Buddies program —an initiative that promotes friendship, inclusion, and leadership among students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Best Buddies is a nationally recognized program that creates one-to-one friendships and inclusive opportunities for students of all abilities. Students are paired in “buddy” relationships and participate together in activities that encourage connection, empathy, and understanding.

Across the district, Best Buddies helps to:

• Foster meaningful friendships between students with and without disabilities
• Promote a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusion in our schools
• Provide leadership development and advocacy skills for all students
• Create safe spaces where differences are celebrated and every student feels a sense of belonging

Our Best Buddies chapters host events throughout the year that bring students together and build a stronger, more unified school environment.
The impact of Best Buddies extends beyond the classroom. Students learn the value of friendship, develop life-long social skills, and become advocates for inclusion in their communities.

We believe every student deserves the chance to be included, accepted, and supported. Best Buddies helps us live out that commitment every day.
 

Unified Sports

We are proud to support Unified Sports, an inclusive program that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team. Through the power of sports, Unified programs foster friendship, understanding, and mutual respect—on and off the field.
Unified Sports is part of the Special Olympics movement. By joining together students of all abilities, Unified Sports promotes social inclusion, teamwork, and school pride.

Currently, our district proudly offers two Unified Sports programs:

• Unified Bocce
• Unified Flag Football

These sports give students the opportunity to compete side-by-side as equal teammates, learning from one another, supporting one another, and breaking down barriers of misunderstanding and exclusion.

Through practices, games, and district events, Unified Sports helps create a stronger, more connected school community—where diversity is celebrated and every student feels like they belong.