2008 - 2009 Educator Award Winners

Becky McKee

Becky McKee is Speech and Language Pathologist at Proctor High School in Proctor, Vermont. She is being honored for her exemplary work with AS students and for effectively communicating with other staff members. She ably coordinates IEP implementation and abets relationships between family and key staff. She thinks "outside the box" and brings a positive, hopeful attitude to working with all involved. We appreciate such a teacher.

Ruth Bluestone

Ruth Bluestone is Speech and Language Pathologist at Parkview Elementary School in North Easton, MA. She is being honored for her creative approach to incorporating ideas for improving social skills throughout the curriculum and within formal and informal interactions. When working with individual students, she understands how to capitalize on their strengths. In addition to advancing her own AS knowledge, she has helped the entire school community to consider new strategies and has taught evening classes for parents. Congratulations to Parkview Elementary for this effective teacher.

Donna Kyed

Donna Kyed is an Instructional Aide at the Cottage Street Elementary School in Sharon, MA. She is a winner this year because of her effective and imaginative approaches to students' needs both directly and with staff and family. When working with AS students, she conveys appreciation and respect; over time, she works on increasing their abilities to see another's point of view. She also obtained more training for herself both through school and on her own. She is being honored for her special abilities in this field.

Dorene Marinuzzi

Dorene Marinuzzi is Special Education Teacher at the Juliet W. Long School in Gales Ferry, Connecticut. She is being honored for her deep understanding, consistent support, and creative approach to working with AS students. She has developed strategies to enable regular class placement for most of the day in a challenging situation. She is an effective planner and provider of a safe environment. She is directly involved in working on friendships. She concerns herself with the next year teacher selection. She communicates and collaborates with parents most helpfully. Her work is highly appreciated.

Ann Oakes

Ann Oakes is the Special Services Coordinator and a Special Education Teacher at Brockton High School. We honor her for her work with AS students individually and in a lunch group. She is diligent in working to improve the general school atmosphere in awareness and acceptance of student differences. She provides support to other teachers and works to increase their understanding. For her AS students, she is an effective advocate. We are happy to recognize this teacher.

Ruth Levine Arnold

Ruth Levine Arnold is a Speech and Language Pathologist/Case Manager for Inclusion at the Heath School in Chestnut Hill. She is being honored for her many years as a pioneer in the AS field. She innovated a pilot AS program which over time has included both in and after-school aspects. She has been a frequent conference and workshop participant. Teaching strategies to staff, she also learns from parents. Both respect and fun are important in her work. Specific innovations have involved work with the school athletic department and preparation for transition to high school. She has worked with town government on a formal transition program which includes individualized tours and bringing high school students with AS to talk with transitioning students. Congratulations to the Heath School for this teacher.

Carol Haywood

Carol Haywood is Special Education Coordinator at Bethlehem Elementary School in Bethlehem, New Hampshire. We honor her for her professional and compassionate approach to evaluating and then developing effective planning for challenging AS needs. This has included hiring and training new paraprofessional help along with additional teacher training. She is skillful in developing a relationship with a child and in quickly addressing new issues. Improved academic and social skills and feelings of safety and competence have resulted. We are happy to recognize this coordinator.

Team of Greg Young and Greg Greco (photo of Greco)

Special Education Advisor and Learning Specialist, respectively, Greg Young and Greg Greco work at the Met Career and Tech Center in Providence, Rhode Island. They are being honored for their distinctive abilities in designing creative and individualized plans and interventions for their students. They recognize unorthodox means of expression, exploiting a student's creative talents and specialized interests. Beyond the school setting, they pursue internships and college level courses for some. At school, they are sensitive to difficult moments and have initiated special training for improved response. We are delighted to recognize this team.

Terry Belliveau

Terry Belliveau is an Instructional Assistant at Sabis International Charter School in Springfield. She is being honored for her individualized and close attention and assistance as needed. She helps the student to focus better and parents to be more effective, providing daily communication. Working within the school setting to consult with each teacher, to modify assignments and tests as appropriate, he meets his students' needs with patience, humor, and persistence. We are pleased to honor this aide.

Johna King

Johna King is a Kindergarten teacher at the Mabel I. Wilson Elementary School in Cumberland, Maine. She is being honored for her sensitive approach to the youngest AS students in the school setting. She brings flexibility and ingenuity to the multiple challenges of integrating such children. She has improvised a variety of systems to enhance life and social skills and support special interests. She introduces professional specialists as appropriate and creates a whole-school approach to a child's needs. She is an inspiring figure in the school life of an AS student.