Instructional Support Services
The Instructional Support Services Department offers a wide variety of services and support to school districts including staff development, technical support for Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) initiatives; grant support; coordination of services, councils and acquisition of resources.
Staff development is offered through workshops, courses (See Courses & Registration), and online classes (see Online Classes button). Workshops are held at the IU and on site in school districts and are generally customized to suit district needs and covers all topics within the areas of assessment, curriculum or instruction, as well as reading and math, school safety, behavior, transition, early intervention, autism, assistive technology, and interagency coordination.
ISS Department staff serves as a liaison between the Pennsylvania Department of Education and local school districts by maintaining constant communication with PDE; identifying latest initiatives, clarifying requirement for school districts and supporting districts' efforts to follow state mandates.
The ISS Department seeks and secures grant funding from Pennsylvania and private foundations in order to offer districts services and programs to enhance learning opportunities for students. Recent awards have enabled the ISS Department to offer schools: 4Sight Benchmarks Assessments and training, Robotics Programs, Principals / Leadership Academy, Math Resource Library, Superintendents' Academy, Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHs), Olweus Bullying Prevention, Literacy and Math Coaches, and Keys to Work.
To keep district administrators and teachers informed and knowledgeable about current educational issues and treads, ISS offers the following councils that meet regularly: Curriculum Coordinators Council, Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities; and Transitional Councils in Fayette, Greene and Washington Counties.
ISS Department serves as a resource for districts by identifying and coordinating efforts to help districts form partnerships with other districts, agencies and individuals. Current partnerships include: School Performance Network, Tri-state Study Council, and Frick Art and Historical Center and Susan Leddick, PKR, Inc.
Our Staff
To Email Staff: LastNameFirstInitial@iu1.k12.pa.us (Ex. John Doe: doej@iu1.k12.pa.us)Director:
Jarol DeVoge, 724-938-3241 ext. 234
Curriculum Specialists:
James Dowler, 724-938-3241 ext. 236
Mara Linaberger, 724-938-3241 ext. 267
Su Verma, 724-938-3241 ext. 268
Public Relations and Resource Support Specialist:
Patricia Hazen, 724-938-3241 ext. 235
Training and Consultation Staff (TaC):
Noreen Fleming, 724-938-3241 ext. 128
Marlene Kubina, 724-938-3241 ext. 115
Marilyn Nairn, 724-938-3241 ext. 410
Wendy Tiano, 724-938-3241 ext. 148
Anita Walters, 724-437-9525 ext. 701
Donna Whoric, 724-938-3241 ext. 214
Early Intervention Consultant:
Renae Kotchman, 724-938-3241 ext. 105
MSP Math Coordinator:
Matt Freedman, 412-394-4593
MSP Science Coordinator:
Barbara Lease, 412-394-4617
Science Matters:
Nancy Tsupros, 724-250-3330
Intructional Support Services Specialist:
Keith A. Golebie, 724-938-3241 ext. 250
