Crotched Mountain > Education > Crotched Mountain School > PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES       

Mark Tenney

Congratulations to Mark Tenney on being recognized by EXCEPTIONAL PARENT Magazine as one of their "2005 Models of Excellence."  The following excerpt is reprinted, with permission, from their September 2005 issue:

Crotched Mountain's Mark Tenney teaches horticulture to students with multiple disabilities.  Tenney adapts students' skills to practical applications from the campus greenhouse, to the gardens, to the classroom and into the community.  Students prepare the soil, plant and transplant, cultivate and nuture flowers and provide landscaping and floral arrangements for graduations, weddings and galas.

An instructor for the teacher assistants, Tenney also teaches classes on children's disabilities, school law, special education, IEPs, lesson plans and behavior management.

Tenney's energy and dedication makes a difference in the student's lives that will remain with them long after they leave Crotched Mountain.

Jenn

Cerebral Palsy keeps Jenn in a wheelchair, but thanks to Crotched Mountain, it doesn't keep her from dancing, taking a hot air balloon ride or studying Shakespeare.

Jenn cannot walk, speak, dress or feed herself, but inside a body that can barely move is an active, curious mind, the heart and soul of a teenage girl, and a smile that is something to see!

Since Jenn can move her head to one side, our Assistive Technology Department modified a switch she can activate by turning her head so that she can communicate via her computer. She can now answer questions and let people know what's on her mind. Using this switch, Jenn also read her first book on her own, after we scanned it into her computer. The book was appropriately titled Up and Running!

Jenn's life has expanded socially and academically at Crotched Mountain. She is popular. She is often invited to dinner with her friends. She went to the Prom and she's writing poetry.

One of the original students to sign up for Crotched Mountain's Adaptive Dance program, Jenn danced a leading role in Crotched Mountain School's production of the Nutcracker. Inspired by internationally-acclaimed wheelchair dancer Kitty Lunn, who visited Crotched Mountain from New York City for dance workshops, Jenn has gained poise and confidence.

Matt

A year ago, Matt couldn't walk, talk or use sign language. He was born with cerebral palsy and an extremely rare systemic disorder that affects his respiratory system, his ability to swallow, and his growth. At age eleven, he is the size of a five year old. He has endured multiple surgeries, takes nourishment through a stomach tube and is considered legally blind.

But Matt's parents had a vision for their son. They hoped he would be able to use a walker in addition to his wheelchair. They wanted him to communicate so that others could understand him. Most of all, they wanted to see Matt increase his social interaction with other children and adults. His parents felt he needed preparation for life and that Crotched Mountain was the place.

One year later, after entering Crotched Mountain School, Matt is riding an adaptive bike through the hallways and he is beginning to walk! Using a walker, he travels 300 feet every day from his classroom to the therapy department. Pushing a single button that activates recorded messages, he can initiate conversation. He is trying to vocalize. Best of all, he has made a lot of friends!

His parents call Crotched Mountain the "Miracle Mountain."