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When Krista Whitlow, a staff member from Bradford Area High School, learned that she would be spending Tuesday on New York City, on the occasion of Autism Awareness Day, she wanted to make something unique to pay tribute to his students with special needs.
Whitlow, a high-school autism support assistant, not only took a special sign for the "Today" outdoor show that praised the school's support for Autism Awareness, but positioned it so that it be seen across the country.
When contacted Wednesday, Whitlow said she went to Manhattan on Sunday with her husband, Jay, who attended a major trade show on behalf of his workplace, Allegheny Bradford Corp. they stood in front of the NBC studio on the square with other members of the public.
"My daughter helped me and guided me when I recorded a special scream," she said. "When I did that, my daughter maintained the position I knew I had to be in the air."
Whitlow said that her husband had stayed there and had watched the TV show in their hotel room.
"He said he was getting all those messages and that he saw on Facebook" additional messages about his appearance in the series, she said. "My phone exploded (with messages), too."
Whitlow said that she had decided to keep a sign on the series when she understood that she would not be in the classroom on Tuesday. She explained that the class, taught by Jennifer Barnes, autism support teacher, was prepared for Autism Awareness Day by creating door decorations and a display board. special, as well as other activities.
"I wanted to be able to show the kids that I was always with them," Barnes said. "I wanted them to be able to watch this."
When she was contacted, Barnes said she was the autism support teacher in high school for five years.
"Krista Whitlow is not only my paraprofessional in my room, but my right arm," she says. "I would not be the teacher that I am today without his help and support.
Barnes said students in his class had also celebrated Autism Awareness Day by hanging up autism facts around the school, distributing ribbons and stickers for the school. Autism to their peers, blowing up balloons and showing the entire school a video of information on autism.
Barnes said Whitlow had informed her that she would be in the classroom on April 2, but that she would do it via broadcast in New York.
"I've been very optimized for this recognition of our extraordinary, brilliant and thoughtful students," Barnes said. "With the help of Bob Neumann (teacher of technical education), we made a poster that Krista had to take to New York.
"At 7:30 am, I had the Today show on the SMART board and all of our students were gathered to monitor Mrs. Whitlow," Barnes said. "I can not explain the feeling and the joy that I saw in the faces of my students when they saw not only the sign, but also Mrs. Whitlow on television. It was like Christmas morning.
"The students were so excited and started to point the screen and shout for joy," she added. "I never thought it would be as big as that. However, the more people talk about it, the more they draw attention to autism. "
She pointed out that autism affects one in 68 people in the United States. It is therefore important to raise public awareness.
"I hear students and families with autism who have experienced misunderstanding or who have to deal with judgmental attitudes based on uninformed stereotypes," she commented. "If all goes well, we can put an end to this misunderstanding and make people aware of the amazement of my students and other autistic people and the challenges they face."
On a final note, Whitlow said that a number of Bradford's current and past residents appreciated his efforts and made comments on Facebook.
Some of the messages contained the following comments: "I do not really care about the news, but that sign GANT Bradford High Supports Autism Awareness located in the back that makes me cry … Thank you Bradford High and all those who support autism. Consciousness."
Another said: "I saw you yesterday on the show Today! I am an old BHS cheerleader living in Arizona, but I love where I grew up! Thank you for representing BHS and Autism. "
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