SEA - Supported Education Association

Mary Anne Ewing – Teacher Leader for Curriculum Adaptations D97 Mary Anne has centered much of her efforts in the direction of staff development this year.  She has presented methods of modifications and accommodation for the following departments:  Foreign Language,  Social Studies, Science and Math.  They have all received lengthy packets explaining ways in which staff can enhance the learning opportunities for students. She has also made full staff in-service presentations to both middle schools. She has rewritten many of the sixth grade science inquires and have put them into binders to distribute to the regular and special ed staff. Presently she is collaborating on a project for 7th and 8th grade staff redoing the test bank for social studies.  All regular and special ed teachers will have copies to use with special ed students.  Teachers will also learn how to modify the modifications. She has also worked with staff who have been resistant to meeting special ed students needs and have had to go "toe-to-toe" with them regarding students rights. She is involved in research and dissemination with teachers,  modified many tests, and have been involved in re-writing curriculum for students. Mary Anne Ewing has done an outstanding job in just her first year, she is truly deserving of the SEAStar Award!

 

Michael Seitzinger – Teaching Assistant  

A.      I’d like to nominate an outstanding aide, Michael Seitzinger. Three things make him especially deserving: 1) He communicates regularly with us. 2) He encourages and guides my son with patience and expertise. One of the main reasons my son is succeeding in his piano class is Michael’s working with Ms Powell to adapt the material and keep him motivated and on track. 3) He gives MUCH more of himself than is required. When Brooks announced a ski trip to Lake Geneva , he offered to accompany my son and another classmate (he even offered to use one of his vacation days if necessary) so that they could go on the trip with the rest of the school. My son had a great time!

B.      Mr. Seitsinger has only been our daughter's aide for the last month but he has really impressed us with the creativity and enthusiasm he brings to the position.  Every day he has several new ideas for getting the best from our daughter and we have seen good results.  He is always working on ways to make her more independent and to make her more productive in class. He is taking classes for his Masters in Special Education and obviously enjoys the field. It is a pleasure to work with an aide who is so competent and committed.

Diane Booth – Department of Human Services, Office of Rehabilitative Services job coach at Oak Park Hospital, OPRFHS

   Diane serves as a job coach at Oak Park Hospital through a program of OPRF High School .  I nominate her for her hard work, professionalism and daily support working with high school students from the TEAM, LD, and ED programs at OPRFHS, while working at Oak Park Hospital.

 

Michael Dolan - Student

Michael has been an inspiration to me and my son. He has given me hope that my son can grow up to be a productive member of society. Michael has volunteered to show my son how to play baseball; he has helped my son learn carpentry skills; and he has helped him with swimming lessons. When I talk to Michael, I get an insight on how my own son’s mind works and thinks. Social skills for autistic persons do not come easily, but watching Michael makes me realize it isn't impossible. My only hope is that my son can accomplish as much as Michael has, and enjoy his life as much as Michael seems to.

 

Jim Zangrilli – A friend and supporter

I have a very important person I would like to nominate this year. His name is Mr. Jim Zangrilli and he has been a guardian angel for the students in the TEAM program. Mr. Zangrilli is always there for us when we need a little extra support for our programs and special events. Mr. Zangrilli became acquainted with the TEAM program when his son Jimmy became a member of our Best Buddies organization at the high school. Mr. Zangrilli was so happy that his son got involved in our organization that he himself has gotten involved. Mr. Zangrilli has funded several of our Best Buddy outings, including donating hundreds of Bulls and Soxs tickets to our Buddies and friends.

Jim Zangrilli has also financially supported our Special Track Meet, which is an event that hundreds of students with special needs come to the high school to participate in this huge event. He also treats everyone to a pizza lunch on that day. Mr. Zangrilli's generosity has also provided for T-shirts and a number of special events for our students. Most recently, Mr. Zangrilli made a very important contact for us with the Carmen Villafane Foundation. This foundation supports people in their efforts to live independently. The Foundation has offered to support our transition program for our 18-21 year olds by paying the rent on our leased apartment.

There are countless ways in which Jim Zangrilli gives of himself each day. He supports schools in the city of Chicago that are in some of the most impoverished areas in the city. He works tirelessly with our Veteran's, with at- risk communities and with children and adults who present with any number of special challenges. This man is, without a doubt, someone who deserves recognition for just being who he is.

Jan Dressel – Gifted Resource Specialist

As the Gifted Resource Specialist at Hatch School , Jan Dressel teaches in a manner that fulfills the promise of IDEA - to recognize and teach the whole child rather than focus on only the disabilities.  In working with my son she demonstrated sensitivity and the ability to make small but significant adaptations. She did this on her own and without any formal guidance.  Moreover, she was willing to give my son an opportunity which, in retrospect, providing a turning point and has lead to his first successful  educational placement in three years.

 

Elizabeth Rogers – 7^th/8^th Grade Math Teacher

Mrs. Rogers has had my daughter for the 7th and 8th grades. She has shown great patience with her in explaining and re-explaining math. During the summer of 2002, I was finally able to send her to the store for milk and bread and have her come home with the right change as a direct result of her efforts with my daughter. She gave my daughter some jingles that helped her count. We'd been working on this since 3rd grade!  My daughter has had very good grades in math this year in her standardized testing as well as in her class work.  When my daughter had some sad days in February, Mrs. Rogers hugged her several times. My daughter said that this is what she needed. Thank God for a teacher that saw the need and responded!  For Valentine's she bought my daughter a sucker. My daughter had sent herself 3, because she didn't think anyone else in school would care about her. She was so elated to receive the .50 cent sucker that she talked about it all weekend.  These children need in school care like this to propel them to their best.  Mrs. Rogers has exhibited concern like this for the past 2 years. She is always available in the mornings for extra help that really helps. What an angel with the name "teacher".

 

Aaron Podolner – Physics Teacher

Aaron Podolner, physics teacher, OPRF, deserves recognition because of his outstanding ability to open the eyes of his students to the world of disabilities.  Each year, his students design an assistive technology device for a person with disabilities, using physics principles.  Many students get first-hand experience with a family affected by disability as they meet with them to design something useful and practical.  To prepare the students, Mr. Podolner has them participate in disability awareness activities and has persons with disabilities address his class.   His students get first-hand experience with persons with disabilities and see beyond disabilities to the people and their abilities.  What a gift Mr. Podolner is giving his students!

 

OPRF High School TEAM Administrators, Patti Palmer and Nikki Paplaczyk, and TEAM Teachers, Ron Heister, Wendy Kuenster, Sue Powell, and Ted Domanchuk

For their research, approval and creation of a 4+3 program in Oak Park for students with developmental delays transitioning from high school to a maximally-independent and supported life in our community.