In February 2019, Wurth USA hosted visitors from Ramapo College and The Forum School for a project. The Forum School is a New Jersey Approved Private School for Students with Disabilities in Waldwick NJ, that caters to students with special needs. Whether faced with autism or other related learning challenges that impact social, behavioral, and language skills, The Forum School works toward the actualization of achievements in all of their students. Through the partnership of Ramapo College and The Forum School, Ramapo Professor Julie Norflus-Good guides her students with the support of the educators from The Forum School, to prepare future generations of educators that cater to students with diverse learning challenges.
This innovative plan was launched from Julie Norflus-Good, the Director of Ramapo College’s Master of Arts in Special Education program. This pilot project is designed to provide hands on learning while addressing the social-emotional, communication, and educational supports needed when teaching students on the autism spectrum. Through partnerships like the one with Ramapo College, and now Wurth USA, schools like The Forum School are able to take learning outside of the classroom and allow their students to practice and build academic and social skills learned in the classroom out in the community, better preparing them to become productive members of society, where their individual skills and talents can be showcased. These partnerships also better prepare our future educators, and help to break down barriers and stereotypes that are sometimes associated with employing adults with unique learning differences.
We had the honor of welcoming everyone here in February, with special mention to Würth USA’s Yvonne Penaluna for her kind and thorough assistance with the event! During the facility tour and learning a little more about Würth, the students were given the opportunity to experience what types of job opportunities were available to them and how it could benefit their future independence. The students were ecstatic to take their inspiration back to school, and pour it onto the canvas now housed in the special gallery of Wurth USA! A huge thank you to Forum School art teacher Trish Grego, for leading the art session and depicting for us all the Friendship between Wurth USA, Ramapo College and The Forum School. In addition, a huge congratulations to Ramapo College, who is also celebrating their 50th year Anniversary and The Forum School, who is celebrating their 65th Anniversary!
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