A few years ago, Lighthouse Vocational Services was looking to enhance the educational services it offers to its clients. "Our previous quality assurance director wanted something more (for clients)," recalled Lighthouse program specialist Jen Swanson. The director had heard of the project-based learning programs being implemented for students being served by the Lancaster-Lebanon IU13.

Enter Lori Blantz, instructional technology specialist with the IU. "I assist all our educators from preschool through age 21 with STEM and technology, computers, and communication devices," explained Blantz, who then simplified her role by adding, "In this situation, STEM is out-of-the-box learning." Blantz set about creating life-enrichment units for Lighthouse working with fellow IU staff members Jen Bennett, Ketrina Walter, and Giovanna Chamberlain. In July of 2024, the IU staff members began working with Lighthouse staff members, including Swanson and program specialist Kaitlyn Deemer. "We did several training sessions with Lighthouse, and we planned (monthly) programs through March (of 2025)," said Blantz.

Blantz admitted there were some differences between her usual work and lesson requirements for Lighthouse, an organization that exists to promote growth opportunity and hope for persons with disabilities based on Christian values and principles. "It was a challenge to work with a population that I haven't worked with," said Blantz, who added that researching how to teach daily devotions for students is not usually part of her job.

Swanson stated that since Lighthouse personnel are not required to have educational certifications, some staff members were apprehensive about the training. Blantz said that initial training sessions focused on the monthly lessons the IU staff had devised, which ran from October 2024 through March of this year. "We created six lessons," said Blantz, who listed lesson topics as civics, nutrition, religions around the world, diversity, life cycles, and disability awareness. Blantz said the IU staff taught the first two lessons - focusing on the presidential election for civics and Thanksgiving foods for nutrition. "We worked with (Lighthouse staff members) to show them how to use the lessons," said Blantz. Each unit teaches about the theme in a number of academic subjects including art, social studies, language arts, Bible, and American Sign Language. According to Blantz, for the civics unit, clients took part in hands-on activities such as making ballots and voting boxes in art. "For our October unit on civics, for religion lessons, we talked about ... what God has provided to us and being good citizens to help others," said Blantz, who added that clients measured, cut, and created blankets that were given to a nonprofit organization.

When training began, Lighthouse staff members were challenged by the change in their job requirements. However, as training continued and Lighthouse staff members began teaching the lessons, they built confidence and realized they could succeed at teaching. Swanson noted that staff members were asked which subjects they were comfortable teaching.

"(Lighthouse) staff members worked with their own strengths and (learning interests)," commented Blantz.

"Now they are doing a great job (teaching)," stated Swanson.

Mark Slider, who recently became director of development and marketing with Lighthouse, is a veteran educator. He has observed Deemer teaching Lighthouse clients, and he is impressed with her abilities. "It's exceptional," said Slider, noting that Deemer begins lessons with a social and emotional check-in. "When she teaches, the lesson, (clients) are engaged," said Slider. "It all starts with the relationship."

In April, Lighthouse staff took over creating the lessons, focusing on Earth Day for April and Lancaster County in May. The June unit focused on rainforests, and July's theme will be oceans. Swanson pointed out that Lighthouse clients have benefited from the hands-on approach. "With project-based learning, we are finding that retention is (improved)," she stated. "They (not only) remember what they did three days ago, they remember what they did last month."

Blantz noted that the immersive nature of the lessons is key. "Clients planted in a raised garden to learn about the cycle of life," she pointed out. Swanson noted that the project-based lessons offer more manipulatives and face-to-face learning as opposed to showing clients videos.

According to Slider, not only does the program enhance Lighthouse offerings, but it is part of a goal to change stereotypes surrounding clients. "This is adult education," he stated. "Our participants have the continuation of lifelong learning that empowers people to have life and a career and hope and an opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves." Pointing out that Lighthouse is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, he stated, "Our theme is 'Created to Shine.' We believe Almighty God created our people with special abilities ... to be so much more than our society defines them as."

Readers who wish to know more about Lighthouse may visit http://www.lighthousevoc.org. More information about IU13 may be found at http://www.iu13.org.