Tiegerman Elementary school
(Grades K-6)

Mrs. Karen Katzman

Principal

Mrs. Michelle Neitz

Coordinator

Mrs. Alicia Andrus

Coordinator

Ms. Erica Citrin

Coordinator

Classroom Ratios: Personalized Support for Every Learner
Grades: Kindergarten through 6th Grade

Self-Contained Classes

Classroom Ratio: 12:2:2

Tiegerman’s Self-Contained Classrooms provide a structured, specialized environment for young learners with unique developmental needs. This ratio has several key benefits that can significantly improve the learning experience for students with special needs.  Benefits include increased individualized attention, enhanced support for diverse needs, better classroom management, more opportunities for social interaction, specialized instruction and focused interventions, and better communication with families.  Overall, a 12:2:2 classroom ratio provides a structured, supportive environment where students with special needs can receive tailored instruction, have access to more individualized help, and develop both academically and socially.

Tiegerman Elementary School

Bridge Program

Tiegerman’s Bridge program serves students who have significant delays in language, communication, cognitive, physical, and social development, and require a highly specialized educational setting.  The class is led by two New York State certified special education teachers in collaboration with a lead Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and two teaching assistants.  This program provides intensive and individualized instruction utilizing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles and procedures to help students develop the critical skills needed to successfully transition to a more traditional special class setting.  Goals of the Bridge program include providing students with a method of effective communication, improving students’ joint attention, and interaction with adults and peers and improving students’ learning, social, and adaptive skills.

Teaching the Extraordinary

Program Highlights

  • Intensive and structured 12-month educational programming from
    8:30 AM - 3:00 PM for students in Kindergarten through 6th grade
  • Curriculum and instructional programs aligned with NYS Learning Standards and the Next Generation Standards
  • An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed and implemented for each student, including strategies and goals tailored to their academic and social needs
  • Rigorous, language-based learning in small classrooms with a low student-to-teacher ratio: 12 students, 2 certified special education teachers, and 2 teaching assistants (12:2:2)
  • Transdisciplinary model focused on language development, enhancing each student’s social, emotional, cognitive, and language skills
  • Whole group, small group, and individual learning opportunities
  • Physical Education and specialty classes including Technology, Music, and Art
  • Classroom and School-Wide Behavior Management Plans to teach and promote participation, socialization, and positive behavior
  • Reading Specialists supports teachers, classroom instruction, and individual student's learning needs
  • Individual Occupational Therapy 
  • Individual Physical Therapy
  • Minimum of 90 minutes of daily reading instruction with Fundations, Wilson strategies, and Reading A to Z
  • 3 to 4 periods of literacy instruction, daily
  • Speech-Language Pathologists specializing in childhood apraxia of speech (CAP), central auditory processing disorders, hearing loss, and instruction in reading
  • Speech-Language Pathologists trained in PROMPT therapy and DTTC at the elementary level 
  • Individual Speech and Language Therapy
  • Group Speech and Language Therapy (up to 5 students) target language and play/social skills
  • Individual Counseling Services
  • Group Counseling Services (up to 5 students)
  • Family and community support, including Parent Training
  • Field trips, theme days, school-wide celebrations, and more
  • All elementary students receive Tiegerman-issued iPads
  • Full-time Behavior Specialists (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) on staff
  • Registered Nurse on premises
  • Licensed Psychologists and Social Worker
  • Assistive Technology devices (e.g. AAC, HAT, tablet,) to support academic, communication, and social skills

The Art of Meaningful Socialization:

Social Skills for Lifelong Success

Social skills are taught to students in Kindergarten through 6th grade, daily. The program is designed to be taught within a specified time and then reinforced throughout the day, week, month, and year. Breaking down the skills into small incremental steps will help our students learn social-pragmatic skills, understand and manage emotions, and develop skills necessary for success in a social world.

Character and Community

Character education is geared towards developing a safe and caring school community to support teaching and learning. Each month, a new character trait such as kindness, respect, or honesty, is introduced to the students. Teachers work throughout the month to teach, practice, and reinforce the expected behavior aligned with the character trait.

Katzman Cash Rewards Positivity

Our school store initiative aims to encourage the development of positive social skills through the use of our unique school currency, "Katzman Cash" which is a reward for displaying positive behaviors and social skills by displaying acts of kindness, sharing, being respectful, and being responsible. This system is designed to reinforce and promote a culture of cooperation, respect, and empathy among our students.

A day in the life of Tiegerman Elementary School

Toot Your Horn Tuesday Nomination

More to Explore at Tiegerman Elementary

PreSchool

3 and 4 Year Olds

Elementary School

Grades K-6