Michele DePrille of New Castle, born Feb. 25, 1947, in Butler, passed Saturday at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She was the daughter of Nestor and Helen DePrille. She leaves a brother, Tory DePrille, his wife, Donna-Lee, and their daughter, Victoria, of Westfield, Mass. Michele was a 1968 graduate of Edinboro University and later graduated with honors from Victoria College, Burwood Campus, in Australia, where she obtained an additional bachelor of special education degree. She also obtained scholarships to Duquesne University and to Newcastle Upon Tyne in Northumberland, England. Michele spent her career teaching profoundly disabled children at the Walmo Education Center and later at Neshannock High School in New Castle. Ms. DePrille always believed that children who were unable to speak and were in wheelchairs were capable of much more than society at the time expected or mandated. As a result, she developed and promoted a variety of innovative teaching methods to realize the full potential of her students and made the lives of the disabled more rewarding. She believed, "You don't have to stop the journey just because you see a roadblock, you just need an alternate route." In the early days of computers, Michele offered the disabled new ways to explore their world through what was then cutting-edge technology, creating her own multimedia activities when none existed for her students. In an era when many thought special needs children should be tucked away and out of sight, she encouraged and enabled them to create their own artwork. Many of those creations found themselves accepted at juried art shows in the Pittsburgh area. Field trips, sometimes as simple as going fishing, afforded those profoundly disabled to enjoy life experiences normal people often take for granted. Her creative teaching methods gained praise from, and were the subject of, numerous newspaper and educational magazine articles, and laid a solid groundwork for a new generation of special education instructors. In 1991, as a result of her innovative approach to special education, Ms. DePrille was honored as the recipient of the Annie Sullivan Award, named after the famed teacher of Helen Keller. Throughout her career, Michele was recognized as a teacher who demonstrated extraordinary commitment and caring to help facilitate the acceptance and understanding of handicapped students in both the schools and the community. DEPRILLE - There are no calling hours. A memorial service for Michele DePrille, who died Saturday. Jan. 31, 2009, will be held later. Arrangements are being handled by the Ed & Don DeCarbo Funeral home and Crematory, 3000 Wilmington Road, New Castle.
Pat Oliva (Montag)
Michele DePrille of New Castle, born Feb. 25, 1947, in Butler, passed Saturday at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She was the daughter of Nestor and Helen DePrille. She leaves a brother, Tory DePrille, his wife, Donna-Lee, and their daughter, Victoria, of Westfield, Mass. Michele was a 1968 graduate of Edinboro University and later graduated with honors from Victoria College, Burwood Campus, in Australia, where she obtained an additional bachelor of special education degree. She also obtained scholarships to Duquesne University and to Newcastle Upon Tyne in Northumberland, England. Michele spent her career teaching profoundly disabled children at the Walmo Education Center and later at Neshannock High School in New Castle. Ms. DePrille always believed that children who were unable to speak and were in wheelchairs were capable of much more than society at the time expected or mandated. As a result, she developed and promoted a variety of innovative teaching methods to realize the full potential of her students and made the lives of the disabled more rewarding. She believed, "You don't have to stop the journey just because you see a roadblock, you just need an alternate route." In the early days of computers, Michele offered the disabled new ways to explore their world through what was then cutting-edge technology, creating her own multimedia activities when none existed for her students. In an era when many thought special needs children should be tucked away and out of sight, she encouraged and enabled them to create their own artwork. Many of those creations found themselves accepted at juried art shows in the Pittsburgh area. Field trips, sometimes as simple as going fishing, afforded those profoundly disabled to enjoy life experiences normal people often take for granted. Her creative teaching methods gained praise from, and were the subject of, numerous newspaper and educational magazine articles, and laid a solid groundwork for a new generation of special education instructors. In 1991, as a result of her innovative approach to special education, Ms. DePrille was honored as the recipient of the Annie Sullivan Award, named after the famed teacher of Helen Keller. Throughout her career, Michele was recognized as a teacher who demonstrated extraordinary commitment and caring to help facilitate the acceptance and understanding of handicapped students in both the schools and the community. DEPRILLE - There are no calling hours. A memorial service for Michele DePrille, who died Saturday. Jan. 31, 2009, will be held later. Arrangements are being handled by the Ed & Don DeCarbo Funeral home and Crematory, 3000 Wilmington Road, New Castle.
Milann Ruff (Daugherty)
I met Michele at the Walmo School in New Castle when I subbed there. She was wonderful with her students and deserved every accolade she received.