Pacific VIP Scholars Attend UMass Boston Graduation Ceremonies

by Guam CEDDERS Pacific VIP

Graduation photo — Eight participants of the Pacific Vision Instruction Project (Pacific VIP) attended the graduation ceremonies held on May 30 on the campus of the University of Massachusetts-Boston. Sitting (L-R): William Kiernan, Ph.D., Dean of School of Global Inclusion and Social Development and Director of UMass Boston University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD); Glinda Hill, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Project Officer; Donna McNear, Pacific VIP Consultant; Paula Kosior, UMass Boston Faculty; Sandy Smith, UMass Boston Faculty; Wendy Buckley; UMass Boston Faculty; Bob McCulley, UMass Boston Faculty and Pacific VIP Liaison. Standing (L-R): June De Leon, Guam CEDDERS Associate Director and Pacific VIP Project Director; Gretchen Fisher Orr, New England region graduate; Diane Artero, Guam Scholar; Jennifer Shoniber; Pohnpei Scholar; Sigalu Epenesa, American Samoa Scholar; Amy Epati, American Samoa Scholar; Jennifer Buniag, CNMI Scholar; Sulugia Faâ€™atau, American Samoa Scholar; Chelsea Phillip, Chuuk Scholar; Mekioshy William, Chuuk Scholar; Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D., Director, Guam CEDDERS.

Pacific VIP Scholar Receives Top Student Award

by Guam CEDDERS Pacific VIP

Award photo — Program administrators and faculty gather on May 29 to honor Diane Artero, Pacific VIP Scholar who received the prestigious Book Award for Academic Excellence in the University of Massachusetts Boston Vision Studies/School for Global Inclusion and Social Development. (L-R): Heidi San Nicolas, Ph.D., Director, Guam CEDDERS; William Kiernan, Ph.D., Dean of School of Global Inclusion and Social Development and Director of UMass Boston Vision Studies/School for Global Inclusion and Social Development University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD); Paula Kosior, UMass Boston Faculty; Marybeth Dean, UMass Boston Faculty; Glinda Hill, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Project Officer; Diane Artero, Pacific VIP Scholar and Book Award Recipient; Robert McCulley, UMass Boston Faculty and Pacific VIP Liaison; and June De Leon, Associate Director, Guam CEDDERS and Pacific VIP Project Director.

Jennifer Shoniber, Pacific VIP Pohnpei Scholar, conducts a lesson during her practiucm observation while Mary Dean, UMASS Boston Practicum Supervisor, watches. Lilly Abraham and Florina Esiel observe in the background along with the studentâ€™s grandmother.
Florina Esiel (left), Pacific VIP Pohnpei Scholar, conducts an introduction to Braille lesson with a kindergarten student with the assistance of Mary Dean, UMASS Boston Practicum Supervisor, on April 24.
Florina Esiel encourages her young student to practice using a Braille writer while being observed by Mary Dean.
Pacific VIP Chuuk Scholars prepare for the 30-minute boat ride to Tonoas where Jason Reiong, was scheduled to demonstrate a lesson to be observed by Mary Dean, UMASS Boston Practicum Supervisor, on April 28. (L-R) Jason Reiong, Marybeth Dean, Chelsea Mori Phillip, Mekoishy William.
Jason Reiong, Pacific VIP Chuuk Scholar has no problems keeping his student on the lesson during an on-site practicum observation conducted by Marybeth Dean, UMASS Boston Practicum Supervisor. Mekioshy William, Pacific VIP Chuuk Scholar observes in the background.
Mekioshy William, Pacific VIP Chuuk Scholar conducts a lesson with his student on the island of Pata, in the Chuuk lagoon on April 29.
Lilly Abraham, Pacific VIP Pohnpei Scholar, works with one of her students during a practicum observation session on April 25.
(L-R): Arthur Albert, FSM National Government Special Education Director; Marybeth Dean, UMASS Boston Practicum Supervisor; and Carlina Henry, Pohnpei State Special Education Coordinator, discuss the activities that occurred during Ms. Deanâ€™s on-site visit at an exit meeting in Pohnpei on April 25.
Pacific VIP Chuuk Scholars attend a debrief meeting at the end of the Chuuk Practicum On-Site Visit on May 1. (L-R): Jason Reiong, Scholar; Marybeth Dean, UMASS Boston Practicum Supervisor; Ansina Kony, Special Education Coordinator, Chuuk DOE; Chelsea Mori Phillip, Scholar; Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS; and Mekioshy William, Scholar.