Intermediate Unit 1

06/15/2026

Policy, practice, and a fresh brew! Episode 19 of the podcast is LIVE ☕🎙️

Recently, IU1 hosted an informal evening of dinner and open dialogue with local state lawmakers to give them a first-hand look at what an Intermediate Unit does and how we support our communities every day. We brought our microphones along for the ride!

In this episode, we sit down with:
- Lena Hannah on why the connection between the Capitol and the classroom is so critical.
- Senator Camera Bartolotta on her ground-level school visits, the future of PA cell phone policies, and tackling AI in schools.
- PA State Rep. Jason Ortitay on the massive shift toward Structured Literacy, the vision for literacy coaches, and funding the Keystone Literacy Investment Act.

Before you finish your cup, stick around for our 'What’s Brewing Next?' segment to get the details on upcoming summer professional development opportunities, including our August School Leader Retreat.

Listen Now: https://tinyurl.com/mr3jvjpe

06/10/2026

Lead systems. Support districts. Impact students.

Intermediate Unit 1 is seeking an Assistant to the Executive Director for Special Education to provide strategic leadership across Early Intervention and school-age special education programs. This role partners with school districts, families, community agencies, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education to strengthen services, ensure regulatory compliance, and support positive outcomes for students with disabilities across the region.

We’re looking for an experienced educational leader with a strong background in special education administration, collaboration, and program oversight.
iu1.org

Apply: https://www.applitrack.com/iu1/onlineapp/

06/02/2026

Four graduates, countless memories, and one bright future ahead.

Today, the IU1 McMurray Campus family came together to honor four outstanding individuals from across Washington County.

We kicked off the celebration with a wonderful lunch for our graduates and their guests, followed by an inspiring commencement ceremony featuring words of wisdom from Dr. Don Martin, Dr. Kristin Szewczyk, and McMurray Campus Principal Mike Minor.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! We are so incredibly proud of your hard work, resilience, and all that you’ve accomplished. Cheers to the next chapter, grads! You did it! 🎉🎓

05/29/2026

Last night, the IU1 Central Office hosted a fantastic, interactive Legislative Dinner.

Our administration, board members, and department supervisors teamed up with local lawmakers for an informal working dinner to dive into "who IU1 is and what we do." We had a great time answering questions and discussing everything from our business and HR inner workings to our special education services, mental health initiatives, and successful adult education programs.

Huge thanks to Senator Camera Bartolotta, PA State Rep. Jason Ortitay, and Karen Warnock & Michelle Koenig from PA State Rep. Josh Kail’s office for joining us, asking great questions, and collaborating on how we can best support our region.

We appreciate your continued support and dedication to the students, educators, and communities of IU1! 👏

05/28/2026

NEW EPISODE DROP! Ready to see how regional students are changing the game? Episode 18 of Beyond the Classroom is officially live! 🎮☕️

High school gamers from across Fayette, Greene, and Washington counties recently stepped out of their living rooms and onto a professional collegiate stage at Waynesburg University for the Spring Showdown. Today, we’re bringing you the ultimate recap.

Join hosts Dave and Rachel for Coffee with Colleagues featuring IU1 Curriculum Supervisor Ron Gallagher. We talk about his own path into education, the multi-talented IU1 Curriculum team, and the massive impact of regional Esports on student engagement.

Plus, we take you right to the tournament floor! Hear clips from the competitors, Waynesburg's Esports Director, and our Career Readiness Coordinator, Morgan, who explains how Esports is opening doors to high-demand future careers using VR headsets.

Click the link to listen, save your progress, and keep leveling up: https://tinyurl.com/545e62pt

Waynesburg University Esports The Esport Company

05/27/2026

The IU1 Career Mobile Lab recently rolled into Ligonier Valley Middle School, transforming 7th-grade students into budding entrepreneurs for a day.

Working in collaborative teams, students tackled real-world middle school challenges, designing creative solutions out of everyday materials like pipe cleaners, paper clips, and Play-Doh. From the initial brainstorm to the final pitch, these young innovators showcased exceptional teamwork, communication, and sharp problem-solving skills.

The sheer creativity and confidence on display made one thing perfectly clear: the next generation of big thinkers has already arrived.💡

05/27/2026

Thanks to all for tuning into our inaugural Educational Foundation basket raffle drawing! Congratulations to the winners:

Steelers - Rosanne Malush
Take A Chance - Rebekah Sheraskey
Movie Night - Jessica Pogue
School Supplies - Tyler Jacobs
Time to Relax - Kathleen McAlary
Making Smores Memories - Michael Llewellyn
Fun & Games - James McDowell
Goodies & Gift Cards - Candace Radell
Everything tastes better on a board - Jessica Pogue

Winners can pick up their prizes at the IU1 Central Office in Coal Center, Monday - Friday, 8am - 3pm

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

Last week, West Greene School District proudly hosted its first Qrew in the Classroom event in partnership with EQT Corporation!

Twenty EQT crew members spent the day connecting with students through meaningful conversations and hands-on experiences. Students were paired with an EQT representative and had the opportunity to give them a tour of their school while sharing a “day in their life” perspective as a student at West Greene High School.
This experience created valuable connections between education and industry while giving students the chance to showcase their school community, experiences, and future goals.

A huge thank you to EQT and all of their employees for investing their time in students, and to the West Greene administration and staff for hosting such an incredible event. Thank you as well to Intermediate Unit 1 for supporting the event through materials and coordination assistance.

We are excited to continue building partnerships that connect students with career experiences and opportunities for the future!

05/20/2026

Stepping into history—and the future! 🚀⏳

We had an incredible day at Albert Gallatin Area School District for the 3rd annual Portals Showcase! In partnership with The Perennial Project, local school districts across Southwestern PA and WV, and our technical partners at Case Technologies, Inc., students used cutting-edge Unreal Engine technology to bring local history to life.

Attendees got to experience immersive, student-produced Virtual Reality environments of iconic local sites, including the Searight Tollhouse, Fort Necessity, the Keyser B&O Train Station, and more.

The level of work on display today was truly professional-grade. Digital preservation is an accelerating global industry—much like the efforts used to document landmarks like the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The reality computing and 3D virtual technologies these students mastered today are the exact same tools used by industry professionals worldwide, making this an incredible workforce development initiative. 💻✨

Swipe through to see our brilliant students in action during today's project demonstrations! ➡️📸

A huge thank you to the Benedum Foundation, EQT Corporation, and the National Road Heritage Corridor National Road Heritage Corridor for funding this incredible initiative, and to Autodesk for empowering the technology that makes it all possible.