Mr. Brzezinski is a favorite among the students because, not only is he an exceptional teacher, but he also has autism himself. He relates with the students well and inspires them to excel. Ken teaches our students diagnosed with HFA that are on the Graduation Track.
Jerry has been at Passageway seven years. Jerry has credentials in both Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe Areas for Special Education. He is also our school Counselor. Jerry has been instrumental in some of our success stories.
Irleen brings years of experience to our school. She is a mother of 6 children. She has taught at Ocean View and Oxnard School Districts and in private schools. She brings a positive attitude and a gererous spirit to our students.
In over twenty-four years as a teacher, my knowledge, enthusiasm and passion for the profession has led me to a wide range of experiences which include working with the most profoundly challenged to high functioning Aspergers, to mildly learning disabled resource students. My background in creative arts and theater performance is instrumental in my work with children, which is based on experiential learning, facilitating and modeling appropriate and effective learning behaviors in the classroom and through social and family interactions.
To this end I have recently completed training in Applied Behavior Analysis and have been working as a Behavior Therapist, Enhanced Respite Care Provider, and a Learning Coach. My background also includes work in a juvenile facility, teaching at a private kindergarten, and extensive development and implementation of programs for young adult transition.
I have had the opportunity to experience first hand the courage, strength and resiliency of families with special needs children. Hence my mission is to challenge and inspire my students to grow academically, emotionally and spiritually by using my compassion, my energy and enthusiasm, my unique perspective, and my belief in others' inherent goodness, integrity, and enormous potential.
