AER waves
Official publication of the Northern Rockies AER (Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind
and Visually Impaired)
Spring 2012
 2012 Business Meeting and
election to be in Seattle July 19 in
conjunction with AER
International Conference
 2013 conference already set
for Jackson, WY
 Dennis Slonaker, Brian Jain
announce retirement
 Wyoming, Montana, and
Idaho updates…
Northern Rockies Business Meeting and Election of
Officers Will Be Thursday, July 19, in Seattle
Northern Rockies members and potential members are welcome to attend the annual business
meeting of the chapter to be held in conjunction with the AER International Conference at the
Hyatt Regency in Bellevue (Seattle’s east side) on Thursday, July 19, at noon. The luncheon
meeting will feature Oriental Chicken Salad, Roast Beef Sandwiches, and a northwestern salad.
It will be in the Balsam room. (Please reconfirm in your program). We are also hoping for an
address by former NRAER member Diane Wormsley. Members not otherwise reimbursed will
receive $200 for expenses. New members joining AER will have their dues paid. A $200
scholarship is also available for a non-professional from each of the three states of Idaho,
Montana, and Wyoming. (See Rennie’s letter to apply).
CANDIDATES WANTED!!
Immediate past president Kerri Norick has put the call out for a few good men and women to
run for office. We need candidates for the following positions:
President-elect – Will be in charge of the awards ceremony next year. Will be president in two
years.
Parliamentarian – Makes sure the meetings are run according to Roberts Rules of Order and
maintains the chapter records. This position is designed to be long-term and this candidate can
run for reelection. In case the chapter should become inactive, the Parliamentarian is
authorized to reorganize and revive it.
Secretary/Treasurer – Keeps minutes of all meetings, puts out at least two newsletters a year,
keeps financial records, and pays bills.
State Reps – Each state in the chapter (Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming) has a rep on the board.
They also serve as membership chairs for each state and can also serve as conference chair if
there are no higher officers from the hosting state.
If you are interested in running for any of these positions, please contact Kerri Norick at
knorick@msdb.mt.gov
WYOMING TO HOST 2013 CONFERENCE
(edited from information sent by Mary Rich-Williams)
Mark your calendars! Next year’s Northern Rockies AER conference has already planned and
set. It will be a joint conference with Wyoming’s WREIC in Jackson, Wyoming in June. WREIC is
providing programming of interest to educators of the deaf and educators of the VI. A lot of
their focus is on early intervention. Right now, the WREIC portion of the program is planned to
begin on Wednesday with Jan Van Dijk and Cathy Nielson presenting all day. Thursday’s
presenters are Millie Smith and SAM, Kathee Keller and Callie Spotted Elk presenting on
Instructional Strategies, and Phil Sweigart discussing the Communication Matrix and Shaken
Baby Syndrome. The hearing impaired agenda hasn’t been shared yet.
We will also be providing programming that is of more interest to rehab and O&M. This
program has not been set yet but suggestions include a presentation by Penny Rosenblum on
bioptic driving and her curriculum for non-drivers. Ed Gervansoni is a possibility on O&M for the
Deaf-blind population and Craig Phillips for Trekker Breeze training. Mary would appreciate any
further suggestions that the O&M specialists or Rehab teachers have to offer. Her e-mail is
mwilliams@ccd.k12.wy.us and her cell phone is 307 680-5599. We will be holding our awards
banquet during the 2013 conference, so spread the word to your colleagues in the area.
Note: The new NRAER board to be elected in Seattle will discuss this conference under the
leadership of President Pam Boespflug on Thursday, July 19, in the Balsam room during the AER
International Conference.
Letter from the President … Rennie Maki
Greetings Fellow Northern Rockies AER members and non-members:
What does that old Jefferson Airplane song say, “Give me a ticket for an aeroplane, Ain’t got
time to take a fast train, Lonely days are gone…” We are heading for the AER International
Conference 2012. The NRAER Board will meet you July 18 – 22nd in Bellevue, Washington USA at
the Hyatt Regency on Seattle’s Eastside. We will be holding our NRAER board meeting
Wednesday night and electing officers at the business meeting luncheon, Thursday, July 19 th,
2012. Kerri has done an excellent job of recruiting candidates to run for various board positions.
Ken has invited Diane Wormsley to attend our luncheon, so we can welcome her back to the
fold to reminisce with our members. Mary will bring us the news of next year’s NRAER meeting
in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Non-members note:
We have a one-time offer to pay your first time membership fee at the AER International
Conference. There is also a scholarship of $200 from each state in our chapter… Idaho,
Montana, and Wyoming… available so send me a statement of need to 14 Independence Dr.,
Gillette, Wyoming 82716. You can also e-mail me at rmaki@ccsd.k12.wy.us. At the conference
business meeting I will be welcoming your new president, Pamela Boespflug, as I become your
past president.
Come join the fun!
Your NRAER President
Rennie Maki
IDAHO NEWS
IESDB
Job Opening: The Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind has a full-time Regional
Consulting Teacher position in the northern part of our state. The office is located in beautiful Coeur
d’Alene, Idaho. For more information, please contact our Department of Human Resources: Shelly
Comstock at shelly.comstock@iesdb.org or call 208-934-4457.
The second Jump Start weekend will be April 19 – 21, 2012. It will be held on the ISDB campus in
Gooding for students throughout the state who are ages 2 through 9, and their parents. The group will
learn about age-appropriate compensatory skills, including orientation and mobility, Braille literacy,
social skills, recreational adaptations, and daily living skills.
The Paraprofessional Training program is scheduled to be held on the ISDB campus June 18th – 28th.
Topics covered will be the Braille code, as well as how to reinforce O&M skills, daily living skills, and
adaptive technology. This program is open not only to paraprofessionals and classroom aides, but also
teachers, administrators, parents, and interested college students. For more information contact Jan
Zollinger at jan.zollinger@iesdb.org or 208-934-4457.
The first National Federation for the Blind BELL program, in conjunction with certified teachers of the
visually impaired, will be held in Boise on July 23rd through August 3rd. This program is for 4 through 12
year olds and will focus on Braille reading, Braille writing, daily living skills and other
compensatory/blind skills. For more information, contact Jan Zollinger at jan.zollinger@iesdborg or
208-934-4457. (submitted by Jeanne-Marie Kopecky)
ICBVI
The retirement trend at ICBVI keeps on, and with it comes job changes for other staff. Brian Jain, O&M
instructor, retired in November. His position was assumed by Steve Archabal who had worked as a
teacher in the ATC in early January. Scott Pearl now teaches Braille as well as some technology. Kevin
Jernigan was hired to teach mobility and some technology, and Beth Pederson, who was an intern at
ICBVI, now teaches job readiness part-time. Since Lewiston counselor Jeff Weeks moved to Boise to
take the Treasure Valley VR caseload, Shane Hyde, who was the rehab teacher in Lewiston is now the
VR counselor. Jackie Macy is currently contracting to do some rehab teaching and O&M for the
Lewiston region. Our SWEP program is will start on June 24. We currently have 16 students registered
for that program. College Days will take place from June 11 – 15 for students entering college this
coming year. All in all, it’s really busy here at the ICBVI. (submitted by Dana Ard)
Note: Best wishes to Brian Jain in retirement! He is a long-time AER member and for many years went
to Russia with his church group to help plant cool weather crops. -ed
MONTANA NEWS
BLVS
Greetings from Montana. Most BLVS staff attended an annual All Staff training session at Big
Sky Huntley Lodge in April. Tuesday noon (April 10) was short-sleeve weather well into the
evening—such excellent skiing weather. Dr. Fred Schroeder was the keynote speaker. He
discussed how the laws relating to disability have changed not only what services and rights
are available to people with disabilities but also how those laws changed societal views of
people with disabilities. The disability movement was very active in the 1960’s and cumulated
with the passage of ADA.
All the positions in Blind and Low Vision Services are filled. Jeff Campbell, Vision
Rehabilitation Therapist in Great Falls, is the newest staff member. He has previously worked
at the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind and at the Montana Association for the
Blind Summer Orientation Program. Stacy Ferguson, the VRT in Billings, has complete all of
her master’s degree except the internship. She plans to graduate in December.
The Montana Business Enterprise Program is going strong. BLVS contracts with Montana
Business Enterprises Inc. to provide administration of the vending program. Last year Sam
Hubbard retired as the CEO of Montana Business Enterprises Inc. and Dan Burke has filled the
position. Currently there are three blind vendors with routes in Billings, Helena, and
Missoula. We plan to add two or three additional routes (Great Falls, Butte, and Bozeman) as
funds are available. The blind vendors are small business owners who operate vending
machine routes on federal and state properties. Each route, when it reaches its potential will
provide the opportunity to earn at least $25,000 annual net income. To qualify to be a blind
vendor, the individual must be legally blind, a citizen of the United States, and be at least 18
years old. The individual also needs skills in the use of computers including Excel, word
processing, e-mail, and use of internet, good mobility skills, note-taking skills, labeling, and a
strong desire to provide good customer service. Knowledge of how to run a vending business
and fill/maintain vending machines, have employees and maintain business records is
provided through MEBI and other training opportunities. Some of the training may take place
out of state.
The Department of Public Health and Human Services is in the process of changing the
organizational structure. Within a few months the present Disability Transitions Program will
become the twelfth division in DPHHS. Blind and Low Vision Services will retain its name, and
the services provided will remain the same.
Last but not least, I’d like to introduce you to Montana Youth Transition Program
(http://www.montanayouthtransitions.org/). This non-profit organization’s goal is to
improve transition services and increase the number of youth with disabilities who achieve
their desired post-school outcomes. The website is filled with resources for parents, students,
and professionals. They also sponsor the yearly MYLF conference which provides leadership
training for youths with disabilities.
Wishing you a warm spring and looking forward to seeing you in Seattle. Beverly Berg
MSDB
Dennis Slonaker Announces His Retirement
Long-time AER member and MSDB fixture Dennis
Slonaker has announced he will retire at the end of this school term.
Dennis began working for MSDB in 1974 as an outreach consultant
out of Glendive and covered all of eastern Montana. He attended San
Francisco State in the summers and received an MA in teaching
exceptional children with emphasis in VI.
In 1976 he moved to Bozeman (good choice, Dennis!) and continued
to work in Outreach. He became a charger member of the Northern
Rockies AER in 1984.
Later, due to budget cuts, he became the only outreach consultant for
the entire state for two years.
Dennis later became supervisor of the outreach program and directs
14 Outreach Consultants and 1 audiologist.
Dennis plans to hike, bike, dance, and travel to faraway places in
retirement. He also plans to join a rock band and play a mean
tambourine. (The retirement home entertainment will never be the
same). Congratulations, Dennis, and best of luck!
School Improvement: (by Carol Clayton-Bye)
As with every school in Montana, MSDB has a school improvement plan called our 5 Year
Continuous Education Plan (5YCEP). The committee that manages this plan consists primarily
of the Principal and Supervising Teachers, with input from the Superintendent, Lead
Interpreter, classroom teachers, and support services. The School Improvement (SIP) group
works alongside the cottage and outreach programs as we complete surveys and work on our
school-wide accreditation plans.
5YCEP’s overarching goal is to see growth in our students; that they achieve at higher levels.
Our main focus has been on improving student’s reading and math abilities along with
professional development that can improve instructional practices in the classroom.
SIP also manages curricular and instructional resources by having staff involved in the
curricular reviews and updates by the Golden Triangle Consortium, exploring and selection of
other curriculum and resources, looking at textbook review and replacement cycles, and
much more.
SIP also endeavors to see how MSDB is doing in regards to school climate and culture. We do
this by surveying students, staff, parents, local education agencies, and other constituents. By
analyzing the feedback gained from the surveys, we can determine what other areas need
attention and improvement.
You will soon have an opportunity to participate in our school improvement process. Surveys
will be sent out by the end of March. Please take the time to respond to our questions and
add your thoughts in the comment section. Together we will continue to create an
environment at MSDB that fosters the development of ‘Education, Communication and
Independence’ skills for all our students.
VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERFORMERS (VIP) BY Carol Clayton-Bye
The Visually Impaired Performers (VIP) have been actively performing on the campus of
MSDB and beyond for many years. The performing group is open to MSDB students and local
Great Falls students associated with our school, who are in first grade or above. We showcase
more than just singing talents, and have included short skits, jokes, and instrumental
performances. The group is led by Sheryl Lute, Erica Peterson, and Denise Philipp. We
currently have a rockin’ group of upper elementary/middle school students that truly enjoy
sharing their talents!
When the students were asked about their favorite kinds of music, activities that they have
enjoyed while being a member of VIP, or goals for their future, they had plenty to say.
Alyson has been a member for many years and responded that she loves listening to
Nickelback and enjoys performing at Bridges’ Adult Day Services, as she has made many
friends there.
Anthony has performed with VIP for 4 to 5 years now and enjoys telling jokes and including
the crowd in everything he does. As a member of the Young People’s Choir in Great Falls, he
gets plenty of opportunities to share his voice with us all.
Austin has been in VIP for a couple of years and is a fan of heavy metal, though also shares his
piano abilities, too. He prefers to do the emcee work for us, but usually can’t resist joining in
on the singing, too.
Patricia is in her first year with VIP. She became a huge fan of the high-energy group, Barrage,
after a recent VIP night out to the Civic Center to enjoy the concert. Some of her favorite
performers include Toby Keith and Taylor Swift.
Our most recent member is Mikayla. She appreciates music from all genres, particularly hip
hop and country, and is a big fan of Katy Perry.
We are looking forward to our upcoming performances at the Goalball/Enrichment weekend,
VI Games, Spring Program and more. Hope to see you there!
SOP June 10 – July 1
The Montana Association for the Blind Summer Orientation Program will again be a Carroll
College in Helena offering an extensive program in blind rehabilitation skills to anyone
interested for free. The program offers free room and board and offers classes in ADL,
mobility, Braille, cooking, sewing, woodshop, keyboarding, computer, and even exercise. This
program has been on-going since 1946 and continues to influence positively the lives of the
newly blind. Several AER members usually are staff members at this program. For
information and applications contact Kay Stevens at 406 453-0452 or Ken McCulloch at
Krmac6@msn.com
AERwaves is published twice yearly by the NRAER secretary Ken McCulloch. He can be
reached at Krmac6@msn.com