Ms. Boggs is a veteran job coach who has been with Pathway over 20 years. She has been coaching students primarily at IKEA and Einstein Hospital, and this year she is also working with the students and staff at the local Marshalls department store. Ms. Boggs has assisted in the Hot Spot cafe as well as the weekly Career Education classes. 

Ms. Boggs has a good rapport with her students, and has a deep care and concern for their potential and well being. Business partners who open their workplace for our students to advance their skills in career education have often commented on the notable dedication to student success that she demonstrates every day. At IKEA she seems to be everywhere at once, even though this massive workplace presents geographical challenges for a careful supervisor! Students know that they can count on her to help them as they take on different work responsibilities and she is always looking for creative ways to use our student expertise and help the businesses appreciate the value added by Pathway’s Career Education Program.  

The Pathway Players Present Finian’s Rainbow

Once again The Pathway Players delighted audiences during four performances of Finian’s Rainbow JR., an adaptation from the classic Broadway musical. For the first time the actors were performing for an audience at Norristown’s, “Theatre Horizon”.

The story is about Finian McLonergan, who has emigrated from Ireland to the town of Rainbow Valley in the mythical state of Missitucky, with his daughter Sharon. Their mission is to bury a stolen pot of gold in the shadows of Fort Knox, in the belief it will grow and multiply. In pursuit is Og, a leprechaun determined to recover his treasure before the loss of it turns him permanently human. The town of Rainbow Valley was brought to life by these talented actors through song and dance.

On a full stage, with props & lighting, our young actors were shining like never before. After only a few short weeks of summer rehearsals, the six actors had scripts memorized, their timing was on, their singing voices strong, and the choreography was fabulous! It is so exciting to see the growth that Pathway’s Drama Program is experiencing. 

Director, Pete Pryor was so proud of the cast and crew stating, “A mighty ensemble of six Pathway stalwarts took on the challenge of multiple roles with great ease. Over the entire summer of ESY each of these students applied themselves and rose to each challenge. It is an honor to get to see their work displayed on the beautiful Theatre Horizon stage.” 

Congratulations to all for an outstanding performance!

Pathway Alum Fuses Successful Career with Active Family Life

John Rozance, a California native, enrolled in 1996. Always comfortable in conversation with adults, John found close friendships with his Pathway classmates and for three years was a favorite among the faculty. As teenagers tend to imagine their future, John first considered a career in teaching, but then changed his mind and aimed for law school. Since he liked Pennsylvania, after graduation from Pathway in 1999, he stayed in the area and received his degree in political science from West Chester University in 2003. After a year of law school at the University of Delaware, and discovering that law was not the career for him, John moved back to California. He worked as a counselor with adjudicated youth and there he was offered a job to teach math. John discovered his love for teaching math, went back to school and earned his bachelors in mathematics and he has been teaching in the California public schools ever since. Algebra to calculus…John is the go-to teacher. He is currently working to complete a master’s in math and has hopes of teaching in a college in the near future.

All this and a beautiful family too! John’s wife, Stacy, and daughter Madeline enjoyed a recent visit to Pathway to see changes in buildings that were his first home away from home and classrooms where he had fond memories of friendships and fun. From here, they planned to visit some favorite faculty, catch the sights in Philadelphia and then to NYC for Broadway’s Aladdin and a Yankees game (Stacy is a fan!).

From dreaming about teaching to becoming a teacher…job well done, John! And you obviously are doing a great job with your beautiful family too.

Pathway Summer Programs Combine Learning and Fun

This summer, students could select two or more clubs from the following group of ten exciting experiences.

The Master Chef Club provides a hands-on experience learning how to follow various recipes and the skills needed to have a delicious result. The Fine Arts Club has students engage in various forms of art and drama; prop making, role playing, and utilizing materials including paints, clay, and wood. The Robotics Club works in collaboration with the BSD team to learn the ins and outs of coding as well as engage in building robotics, that will be used to race through a student made obstacle course. In the Wearable Technology Club students again are working with BSD to learn an overview of coding. Using an item from home they are adding a variety of technology to the product, including lights, sound and movement. The Musicopia Club is working with students in the area of African bucket drumming. They will partake in traditional African music and learn about the overall culture. Students involved in the Brick for Kids Club are working individually or in small groups to design different concepts and products utilizing Legos, with many of the designs including motorized parts. Phoenix Arts Dance Company is teaching students in the Dance Club to learn hip hop, which will result in an end of summer program performance. Those in the Sign Language Club are learning the basics of sign language, including the alphabet, individual names and phrases and will create a performance soley in sign language. The Film Club works with students to film various events throughout the summer and will create several short films on topics of individual and group interests. Fashion Design allows students to use sewing machines to create pillows for their home, charming wrap skirts, and denim bags to carry their daily necessities! 

 

Camping Trip Closes Out ESY

On July 25 ^th to July 27 ^th students and faculty headed to Coatesville for two nights of camping at West Chester KOA. This was the highlight of the summer for the large group of students and staff who enjoyed outdoor experiences such as swimming, hiking, mini-golf, a campfire and, of course ending the evening with yummy s’mores. Everyone agreed that this campground was more like a resort with beautiful cabins (as pictured), a large pool, and activities that evoke fun moments. Our students had full days and nights of outdoor fun with time to build friendships and memories that will bring them back to the camp again next year.