NC West Virginia News

Applications are now being accepted for a new West Virginia University microcredential designed to support Mountain State educators and their students through an innovative teaching method pioneered by the late WVU alumna Vicci Tucci.

The sequential four-part pathway teaches the Competent Learner Model, an educational framework that enhances learning outcomes for all students, particularly those with learning and behavioral challenges. Tucci’s business, Tucci Learning Solutions, provided an in-kind gift worth $550,000 to help launch the microcredential. This initiative is a partnership between the WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology and the CLM Center of Excellence, a division of Tucci Learning Solutions.

Claire St. Peter, chair of the Department of Psychology and Eberly Family Professor for Outstanding Public Service and Behavior Analysis, emphasized that the Competent Learner Model is beneficial for students pursuing careers in education. This includes teachers, school administrators, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other professionals who could benefit from a consistent and structured teaching approach.

She noted its particular usefulness for educators in West Virginia where attrition and burnout have led to teacher shortages.

“Whenever we can, we need to push more resources into our education systems so teachers feel supported and have a strong sense of how to make their students successful in the learning environment,” St. Peter said.

“Teachers don’t get into the job for the pay. Teachers get into the job because they want to see the outcome of student growth. But if we’re not providing them with the skills to be able to see that growth across a wide array of learners, we run the risk of losing highly qualified teachers. That is the case across the nation and in West Virginia, so we’re hoping to have a positive local impact thanks to this gift from Tucci Learning Solutions.”

Tucci and St. Peter began working together on establishing this microcredential at WVU before Tucci’s passing on February 7, 2024. She was committed to making a difference in her native West Virginia after returning home from California’s central coast where she lived and worked for over 30 years.

Tucci’s career path was influenced by her experience growing up near Weston State Hospital in Lewis County—a facility treating patients with mental health issues. Her mother and grandmother humanized these patients by teaching her they deserved compassion like anyone else. She eventually worked there as recreation director while pursuing her bachelor’s degree in psychology at WVU and found her calling as an advocate for people with cognitive and behavioral challenges.

Tucci continued her education at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California where she earned her master’s degree in psychology specializing in applied behavior analysis. Inspired by influential behaviorist B.F. Skinner and her work with Monterey County (Calif.) schools, Tucci integrated positive teaching approaches based on evidence-based principles including applied behavior analysis, precision teaching, and direct instruction to develop the Competent Learner Model.

Cathy Scutta—a longtime colleague mentee—and friend who leads CLM Center of Excellence—said that model aims to make learning fun accessible ensuring learners are equipped with necessary skills succeed globally used countless learners United States least 10 different countries

“I hope Competent Learner Model becomes part Vicci Tucci’s legacy West Virginia University state,” Scutta said “But also even bigger than that one main goals ‘build nations competent learners’ wanted impact educators therapists worldwide ways allow help most vulnerable populations hope work together will do For WVU offer microcredential channeling Vicci It would honor lifetime”

The four-part pathway begins CLM Foundations fully online curriculum includes both synchronous asynchronous work required meetings every other week Participants must access learner practice demonstrate CLM skills

Length time takes earn each microcredential about semester Participants generally expect spend four six hours per week working curriculum progress

WVU faculty staff students interested pursuing CLM credential find more information through WVU Badges Professionals outside network register new Mountaineer Micro Academy

Tucci Learning Solutions provides consultative training services educators parents children diagnosis autism spectrum disorder other developmental disabilities challenging behavioral difficulties academic home community settings The CLM Center Excellence division promotes supports global dissemination connecting people training implementation resources research opportunities

Gift made through Foundation nonprofit organization receives administers private donations behalf University

-WVU-