SUCCESS STORIES
Anthony has been a student at Gersh Academy since July 2008. During this time he has overcome various obstacles due to his perseverance and commitment towards his education.
Initially Anthony was extremely nervous and lacked the confidence needed to achieve his goals. He often expressed his concern of not being able to keep up with classroom assignments and felt that the work would be too challenging. Although his goals were to pass all of his courses and various Regent exams, his confidence and anxiety would often interfere with his achievement. Anthony soon realized the importance of developing trusting relationships with his teachers and accepting support from staff.
Throughout the past year, Anthony has developed the confidence needed to achieve his academic goals. He has set specific goals for himself, both short and long-term. Anthony has excelled in all of his academic subjects and is a pleasure to have in class.
Towards the end of the 2009 school year, Anthony experienced a medical set back, which resulted in his being absent for the majority of the 4th quarter. As a result he was unable to take scheduled exams or complete classroom assignments. Anthony, however, was able to return to school over the summer and worked diligently to complete and make up all missing assignments. In addition, he passed his Earth Science Regents.
Socially, Anthony has developed the ability to show patience and compassion towards those around him. He continues to foster positive relationships with his teachers and staff and has grown more tolerant of his peers and differences.
Anthony’s determination and commitment towards his academic and personal success continues to shine through. He along with his parents and the Gersh Academy staff are extremely proud of what he has accomplished.
Debbie Tilleli
Director at Gersh Academy, Glen Oaks, NY
On May 21, 2009, Arun S. Shetty graduated from The Gersh Experience after two years of hard work, perseverance and personal growth. He will forever hold the honor of being the very first student to graduate from this post secondary program that supports young men and women with disabilities as they attend college and learn the skills they will need to function successfully in the adult world.
Arun’s first impression of The Gersh Experience did not portend such success. He and his father decided to travel to North Tonawanda, New York from London to see the program they had found by searching the World Wide Web.
The trip was not an easy one – they arrived at JFK Airport in New York City the day of a severe ice storm that blanketed the eastern seaboard and left thousands stranded in airports. Luckily, they were not in one of the planes that sat on the tarmac at JFK for hours; rather they spent the night choosing to sleep on plastic chairs or the terminal floor. Upon their arrival in Buffalo, they were greeted with another snowy storm. As I showed them around the buildings and campuses that comprise The Gersh Experience and our partner colleges, their breath turned to salt crystals of ice. Only a Buffalonian would have dared honor their request to “see Niagara Falls while we are here”. Despite their desire to see the Falls, we were forced to turn back before we got to the brink because of the layer of ice that coated everything. After their hour, as I dropped them off at their hotel, cold and exhausted, I thought to myself, “there is no way I will ever hear from them again.” I felt bad because I knew that Arun would be a wonderful addition to our program. Much to my surprise, Arun’s dad turned to me before getting out of the car, and expressed a heartfelt endorsement of The Gersh Experience. He remarked that he had finally found a place for his son to go to school.
Arun returned in September of 2007 and enrolled at Erie Community College. For the next 2 years he studied hard despite the fact that the rigorous college academics proved very difficult for hi. He also attended language sessions at the University of Buffalo where he worked to overcome his expressive language difficulties. Arun’s further accomplishments during his tie in The Gersh Experience include: much improved money management.
Testimonials
“I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of the I Am I Can program in providing a therapeutic and educational setting for children and adolescents with neurobiological disorders. Four of my patients being treated for disorders such as Tourette Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Aspergers Syndrome, and BiPolar Disorder have made significant therapeutic gains during their enrollment at I Am I Can.
Students who were once school avoidant now look forward to attending on a regular basis. Some of the students feel so comfortable in this environment that their symptoms are greatly reduced and they perform better socially and academically. This program focuses on developing the whole individual resulting in a commitment to community, school and family. The I Am I Can program is an important component to the treatment of children and adolescents and their families coping with the effects of living with neurobiological disorders. This program utilizes a self-management model and cognitive behavior strategies as well as social skills training and on going support for their families. “
~ Marc Reitman, M.D.
“In the past three years, I have had the opportunity to represent several families in their quest for an appropriate educational placement for their children. These children, diagnosed with neurobiological spectrum disorders, require a highly individualized program in order to be maintained in an educational setting. These students often succeed at Gersh Academy where they have previously failed in other school placements.
I Am I Can provides instruction for this population of children who are usually not suitably placed in existing public school settings or BOCES program due to their disabilities. The I Am I Can approach has proven very effective in the self management model that is not typically employed in other educational settings. This program may be a solution for school districts that are aware that these students are not always appropriately served, but are unable to provide the specialized program that the students need to thrive.
As an educational attorney, it is always gratifying to see students succeed in any educational setting; however, it must be noted that the staff of Gersh Academy has exceeded expectations in providing support academically and therapeutically to this much underserved population.”
~ Lewis Wasserman, Esq.
“We are the proud parents of an I AM I Can Kindergarten student. We wanted to let you know how fortunate we consider ourselves to have found this program, unique in our experience, as a placement for our son. He is a very intelligent, affectionate, eager to please child who also suffers from the challenges posed by a disability that, in our view, is poorly understood, and ever more poorly served by the programs offered in our District school. As his parents, we investigated nearly every educational option available to use, and with the exception of “I Am I Can”, none was appropriate for our son’s needs.
To date, our son has done very well and, unlike previous years, has made consistent progress academically. In addition, he is less resistant to attending school, something that caused severe disruption in other schools. We believe these improvements are due in large part to the unique approach taken by the Gersh staff. In our view, this program is clearly in the vanguard of current educational thinking on this segment of the special needs population, and will ultimately be recognized on a much broader scale as the trailblazer others will seek to follow. It has made a significant difference in all our lives and has given us good reason to hope that our son will continue to gain the skills he needs to fulfill his very great potential.”
~ Daniela and Philippe Rothman
“Our son suffers from multiple neurobiological disorders. Before he started in your program he could not attend school due to his symptoms. He was very isolated being home taught by a district provided teacher. This isolation exacerbated the existing symptoms. Options were limited perhaps even nonexistent. There was not a program available to meet our son’s need until we learned about Gersh Academy.
We thank God we found the program. Having this unique school to get up and attend everyday, being with other children, surrounded by a staff well trained in neurobiological disorders, a flexible attendance policy, counseling services and more made it possible for him to return to school. We didn’t think that it could get better but somehow every year the program continues to grow and improve. Being in this school environment where people are accepting of him, as his symptoms wax and wane just made all the difference in his life. We don’t like to think of the situation he would be in if he hadn’t attended this program for the past three years. The comfortable, accepting environment allows him to relax and be open to learning. He continues to grow and learn.
We are proud that in 2003 the State of New York Office of the Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer, awarded him the “Triple C Award” in recognition of his outstanding commitment to his education and future; his strong character which helped him achieve the goals he set for himself and his courage which aids him in meeting the challenges ahead. He also received an award for an outstanding accomplishment in mathematics and art. I really want to thank you again and applaud you for having this unique program available, appropriate for these gifted children with neurobiological disorders. You are a pioneer and hopefully others will follow in your path. “
~ Mr. and Mrs. Carvalho
“A little more than a week ago, I met with my son’s teacher for a conference regarding his progress in school. The growth he has made since coming to the I Am I Can program is nothing short of miraculous. The staff of I Am I Can has effectively created an environment where my child, my school-phobic child, can attend class every day and produce quality work while pursuing his dream of becoming a writer.
When our journey with Tourette Syndrome began in 1997, his difficulty with school was already becoming evident. Although very bright, he seemed to have a hard time beginning or completing work. His attendance was spotty and it was clear that some kind of intervention would need to be made. By 4th grade, he spent most of the year at home, unable to stay at school for more than an hour or so. We struggled to find ways to make school more enticing, but it became clear to us that public school would not be able to accommodate his unique situation. He was placed in a BOCED for fifth and six grades. This placement, too, proved unsuccessful. His attendance fell off even more. Out of the 180 day school year, he was absent for 108 days. In total, he missed nearly three years of school. We tried to instruct him at home, but he was so symptomatic, that we made little progress. He fell further and further behind. There just did not seem to be any suitable placement that could address his needs.
When the idea of a class for children with neurobiological disorders began to take shape, my husband and I were filled with hope. This seemed to be a model that might work for him. Our prayers were answered when he started seventh grade at the I Am I Can program. It was s rocky start with him staying for only an hour or so. But his classroom time increased as he adjusted to the safe environment. He felt accepted and understood. Soon the urge to “escape” the classroom became less and less. His attendance picked up dramatically. By the spring, he was staying the full day, every day.
The following year he was able to make up the most of the work in which he had fallen behind. He even earned the prestigious Triple C Award. This year, the boy who couldn’t go to school is planning to finish high school and go to college so he can be a write. This is what I Am I Can did for my son. He is not the only one who benefited from your program. My husband and I feel the warmth of your welcome. We are no longer subjected to harsh criticism or judgment. Instead, we are part of a team that works cooperatively to find ways to make school more palatable to kids who have disabilities similar to our son.
Thank you, Mr. Gersh, for putting this dream into action and seeing it through in spite of the obstacles that have come along. Thank you for putting together this magnificent, tireless staff who embraces our kids in their uniqueness. If you ever need to be reminded why you started this program, just look at the smile on my and my son’s face!”
~ Fondly Jeanne and Gene Bifulco
“As our son’s first year draws to a close, I’d like to take this opportunity to say a simple Thank You for several things. For having the school, for hiring the quality of staff you have, but most of all for allowing our son to attend. His growth in the areas of both social skills and educational has in one year surpassed three years in district. From a child who was expected to accomplish nothing to a child given the opportunity to reach his own personal goals has been a wonderful thing to watch. Thank you again for your support and guidance. My son and I are very grateful.”
~ Maryellen Halliday
“We wish to take this opportunity to heartily thank Gersh Academy for offering the I Am I Can program with its well educated, dedicated and caring staff and diverse curriculum. The staff that works with our son is knowledgeable on the multi-faceted needs of the neurobiologically challenged youngsters. In addition, this dedicated and loving staff also is required to further expand on their fund of knowledge with in-services highlighting the unique needs of the population they serve. We consider ourselves blessed to have the I Am I Can program staff as our extended family.
“After five years at Gersh Academy, my son is thriving. He’s a typical 16-year-old boy with all the same interests as his neighborhood peers. His medication is reduced by half and he’s taking his SAT’s. He started at Gersh as perhaps the most impaired student, now he’s probably the least impaired.”
~ Gersh Academy Parent
“My son’s out-of-school placement offered so little… it was warehousing. I didn’t see a bright future for him. They told us there was no one else like him. When he was in district we had head shaking, kicks and grunting. Those things are almost nonexistent at this point and after only one year at Gersh he’s completely off his medication, including his ADD medication.”
~ Gersh Academy Parent
“The emotional and social growth my son has achieved at Gersh comes with a lot of hard work by a very caring staff that manages each child differently, accommodating their individual learning styles. One child might respond better to words written on a board and another might respond better to spoken words. The focus here is on the individual child and what he or she needs to be prepared for life.”
~ Gersh Academy Parent
“Thank you so much for giving my son such a good and positive experience. Word of mouth is the best advertisement and I will be your walking billboard wherever I go! Thank you for creating an environment that is cohesive to learning and social acceptance.”
~ Gersh Academy Parent
