Pine-Richland High School Teachers Featured on "Talk Pittsburgh"

Pine-Richland High School life skills teacher Kristen Pinkerton and special education teacher Alicia Metzger were featured on the November 4 episode of Talk Pittsburgh on KDKA as part of their Teach Me Tuesday segment. 

Mrs. Pinkerton and Mrs. Metzger were joined by four students and one peer buddy during the virtual interview with hosts Heather Abraham and Mikey Hood and highlighted programs designed to prepare students for life after graduation.

The Life Skills Program at Pine-Richland High School serves students up to age 22 and aims to equip students with functional skills essential for independence. The curriculum includes vocational life skills and a goal progress support period for younger students, which focuses on mastering individual educational goals, social skills and behavior intervention strategies.

Pine-Richland actively bridges the gap between classroom learning and the workforce through its Vocational Volunteer Program. This initiative provides practical, hands-on work experience for students in 11th and 12th grade. By partnering with eight different local community locations, the program allows students to apply essential work and soft skills in a real-world setting.

A key component of the supportive environment at Pine-Richland High School is the Peer Buddies Program. Offered as an elective, this course brings general education students into the Life Skills classroom to act as mentors, role models and friends and promotes strong student relationships and an inclusive school experience.