Michael J. Martirano…………..State Superintendent of Schools
Kathy D’Antoni…………………………………..Chief Officer CTE
Jacob Green……………………Special Assistant to Chief Officer
The mission of the Education Department at the St. Marys Correctional
Center is to provide academic and vocational/technological opportunities combined with social “thinking” skills to enable students to become
responsible and productive citizens.
Adult and Institutional Education Programs
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
Robert Collier
 Provide for: Academic Literacy Development
 Provide for: Social Thinking Skills
 Provide for: Technological Literacy Development
A Direct Service Program of the West Virginia
Department of Education
High School Equivalency Diploma
 Provide for: Career Development and Vocational Training
 Provide for: Re-Entry Transitional Skills
W.V.A.E.A 2001 & 2003 Adult Program of the Year
C.E.A Accredited - 2002 through 2017
Revised: July 2015
Welcome to the
SMCC
Education Department
Judy Burkle……………...Principal
Facility Chief HSE Examiner
WorkKeys Examiner
CEA Region II Secretary
The SMCC Education Department offers a wide variety of classes to help students
achieve their educational goals. HSED classes are available for all ability levels.
Whether nearing HSED attainment or just beginning, the Education Department tailors
AE classes to fit individual student needs. Additional classes are available in: computer, transition life skills, vocational training, and college courses. Course offerings are
consistently updated/revised to remain current with state, regional, and local Adult
Education/CTE initiatives. Instructors stay informed on changes in adult education.
Each student is treated according to his potential, not according to his past.
To enroll, contact the Education Department in Building 83.
Treatment Plan
Information pertaining to student educational needs and achievements will be made
available to committees and persons making decisions on the institutional classification process, treatment/program plan formation and pre-parole reports. Participation in
classification procedures is via written report to Movement Coordinator.
Student Assessment & Evaluation
During enrollment orientation, new students will be evaluated to determine their current education status, and gather information on student strengths, abilities, personal
goals and needs. This information is discussed with the student and utilized to develop an Individual Program Plan. Interim assessments will be facilitated by instructional
staff to determine progress.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes unless excused for medical,
dental, legal or family visitation. Termination of education privilege will result if a pattern of unexcused absences is evident. (SMCC Operational Procedure #5.01A) All
teachers maintain an attendance record for all or their students and all classes.
Incentives
The WV Department of Education program at SMCC, in cooperation with DOC administration, provides educational incentives to encourage and recognize student involvement and achievement. Incentives may include, but are not limited to diplomas, certificates, eligibility for institutional inmate jobs, upward movement through the classification system, honor graduate, Commitment to Learning Award, Student of Excellence
Award, and a bi-annual formal recognition ceremony.
All awards, diplomas, etc., are maintained in the master education file and remain a
part of the student’s cumulative education record. All records are kept confidential.
Rules & Procedures
Rules, regulations and departmental procedures for the education department are
governed by Institutional Operation Procedure 5.01A.
Shirley Chadock……….Secretary
SMCC Education Department, Secretary II
Non - Discrimination
Students will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, religion, sexual
orientation, ethnic background or handicap.
Certification
Professional staff at St. Marys Correctional Center Education Department are State
certified. We are committed to providing our students with the educational experiences
necessary to re-enter society as valued, productive and responsible citizens.
2014 Correctional Education Association Teacher of the Year
Melissa Nichols………..Instructor
Transition Life Skills
Post Secondary
Keyboarding
HSE Examiner
WJ Examiner
Peace Education: Provides students tools to change destructive thinking patterns.
The program focuses on: cognitive restructuring, social skills development, selfdiscovery, and learning problem solving skills. The class is delivered in two parts. Part
One is a media-based (22 hour-10 DVD) educational program created by the Prem
Rawat Foundation**. Topics include appreciation, inner strength, self-awareness, clarity, understanding, dignity, choice, hope, and contentment. It is approved by the National Correctional Education Association. Part Two is based upon the best selling
book, The Traveler’s Gift; by Andy Andrews. The book, (23 hour component) focuses
on 7 decisions that determine personal success; responsible, guided, active, certain,
joyful, compassionate, and persistent. Three (3) hours of college credit is awarded for
successful completion of both parts through WVU-Parkersburg. **SMCC is the only
WVDE/OIEP Education Department that offers the Peace Program.
SPOKES/Career Skills is a job readiness component that teaches job seeking and
job keeping skills. This includes the curriculum “Dos and Don’ts at a Real Job”, discussing videos, keyboarding, completing a job application, resume, cover letter and a
mock interview. Students use Microsoft tutorials in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. It takes 12 to 16 weeks to complete this component and students earn 4 hours
college credit through WVU-Parkersburg.
SPOKES/WorkKeys is the “academic” component of the program and includes Applied Math, Reading for Information and Locating Information. At the end of this program these three WorkKeys Exams are administered. Students successfully passing
these exams earn the nationally recognized Career Readiness Certificate. The program takes 8 to 10 weeks to complete. Students who complete both components earn
the WV Ready-to-Work Certificate. Scores of gold or platinum also earn 3 hours college credit through WVU-Parkersburg.
Keyboarding I, II, III: A class for students who have little or no keyboarding skills and
preparation for those who want to take MOS. Students will learn the Alphabetic Keyboard and the Numeric Keypad using the “home key” approach.
I = 20 wpm, II = 40 wpm, III = 60 wpm.
College 101: A college orientation course designed to develop confidence and improve student success. This course provides students with active participation in the
assessment and development of abilities in line with college expectations. These include: an orientation to college services and activities, learning and test taking skills,
using traditional and electronic resources, problem solving, people skills, selfmanagement skills, and career/life planning strategies. This 45 hour class includes a
900 word essay and speech. Each student earns 3 college credit hours through
WVU-Parkersburg. All students interested in attending college upon release should
take this course.
WVAEA 2003 Adult Program of the Year
2005 Correctional Education Association Teacher of the Year
2013 WV OIEP Teacher of the Year
Jeff Richard…..Transition Specialist
Lead Teacher
99 Days & A Get Up
A variety of Transitional Services are offered to residents within
6 months of parole/discharge including social, emotional, financial, education and career counseling in preparation for release into their home communities after parole/discharge. Transition is a
complicated venue for most of our students and a Transition Specialist explores appropriate survival strategies and coping mechanisms, and positively reinforces the psycho-social development
skills obtained through education and correctional programming. The Transition Specialist also
assists the students with referral and advocacy to necessary community resources needed for
“survival outside the gate.” This includes but is not limited to employment, identification, housing,
substance abuse and mental health treatment, food stamps, medical services, vocational and
higher education, and transportation. These efforts provide a comprehensive approach to guide
offenders into a successful re-entry into society from incarceration.
99 Days & A Get Up is a re-entry program for residents who are within 6 months of parole or
discharge. This program prepares students for their release from prison and the difficult situations
a convicted felon may face once released. 99 Days is a cognitive restructuring program based on
reality, designed to provide students with a “tool kit” to maintain personal freedom.
Charlene Sweeney……….Instructor
Cabling Technology
NCCER Soft Skills
OSHA- General Industries
Post Secondary
Microsoft Office Specialist
The Cabling Technology program provides students the skills and knowledge to design, install and maintain network technologies for voice, video and data. The classes are instructed through hands-on basic
communications applications in Telecommunications, Copper Cabling, Telephone Systems & VoIP, Energy
Management and Fiber Optic Cabling classes. The students receive nationally recognized certification from
C-Tech Associates for each class.
NCCER Soft Skills provides a program that deals with skills needed to keep the job once hired. The program focuses on teamwork, conflict management, communication skills and critical thinking. This in combination with safety training will enable the worker to complete his blueprint for a very successful career in
Cabling.
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) provides a program that trains the worker to recognize and prevent safety and health issues while working in industry. The program is a 10-hour General
Industry course.
Post-Secondary program provides college credit awarded from WVU-P through their Career Pathway.
This limited program provides certain classes needed to complete Skills Certificates and add to their Degree
program.
Programs of Study & Courses
The West Virginia Department of Education at St. Marys Correctional Center
offers the following programs of study:
Academic
HSED Preparation
Adult Education
Special Needs
Remedial Intervention
Computer Assisted Learning
Re-Entry Transitions
 Transition Life Skills*
 Peace Education
College 101*
 SPOKES/ Career Skills
 SPOKES/ WorkKeys*
 99 Days and a Get up
 Keyboarding I, II,III*
 FAFSA
 Small Business Learning Experience
*Post Secondary Classes
HSED/ABE Academic Instructors
Vocational Education
Cabling Technology (C-Tech)
 Telecommunications*
 Fiber Optic Network Cabling*
 Copper Based Network Cabling*
 Telephone Systems & VoIP
 Energy Management Systems
 OSHA
 Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)*
 NCCER Soft Skills
Apprentice Electrician
Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Enrichment Activities
Community Resources/Presentations
Small Business Learning Experience
Workplace Safety Training
Job Interview Fair
Luann Bell
Howard Meeks
High School Equivalency (HSED) Preparation
Adult Education
Special Needs
Remedial Intervention
Computer Assisted Learning
Life Skill Interventions
Special Services
Special educational services are available for eligible students regardless of age. An IPP
(Individual Program Plan) is prepared for every student. An IEP (Individual Education Plan) is
prepared for eligible students. The Education Department ensures that all students with special
educational needs are provided the opportunity to participate in academic, workplace and transitional skill classes.
English Second Language (ESL) services and materials are also available for non-English speaking students. Hearing and visually impaired needs can be met also.
Post Secondary Programs
Post Secondary programming is supported through an articulation agreement with West Virginia
University-Parkersburg. Our office and staff also assist residents with obtaining documentation of
their high school diploma or HSED, information on correspondence courses, and various college
or apprenticeship programs. Financial aid forms are provided to those residents who are within
six months of discharge/parole.
Prerequisites
Any offender who wishes to obtain an institutional job and does not hold an HSED or High School
Diploma must be enrolled in HSED classes. An HSED or High School Diploma is also a prerequisite for enrollment in the C-Tech, MOS, Post Secondary, Apprentice Electrical and HVAC.
Enrollment
Residents may enroll in classes by contacting the Education Office located in Building 83 or by
signing up on the sign-up sheets in the pod. Unit managers and counselors also have enrollment
referral forms in every pod. Our staff is committed to assisting our residents with obtaining a diploma, or furthering educational opportunities in every way possible. A master education file is
maintained in our office. Students have ready access to education records, and may request
access in the Education Office. Our staff is committed to providing students with the opportunity
to improve their skills and further their education in every way we possibly can.
The AE program is designed for students without a HSED/High School Diploma. The program specifically targets instruction based on individual student
needs in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies and computer
literacy. Lessons and materials are available at all skill levels.