SEA - Supported Education Association

Angie Amos & Nicole Wolf- Bus drivers for Lakeview Bus Company
My son loves riding the bus.  How wonderful that he is greeted by two
smiling faces who greet him enthusiastically everyday without fail.  It
is reassuring to his family to know that he is safe in their care.  He
is always smiling as the bus pulls away.  Sometimes I feel sad, that
since my son was 3, he has spent his days away from his family so that
he could get the help he needs.  To see him start his day so happy, it
makes it easier to wave goodbye.

Julie Bernstein - Kindergarten teacher, Holmes School, District 97
Julie Bernstein is the perfect kindergarten teacher.  She is kind,
calm and unflappable.  She welcomed our child with significant special
needs into her classroom and truly made him a part of the class.  She
creates an environment in her classroom that encourages all the
children to learn regardless of their abilities.  Most amazingly, Ms.
Bernstein takes the time to celebrate our child's successes with a
note home or an e-mail sent late in the night.  She has also worked
with us to resolve problems that have arisen during the school year.
Our child has had a very successful kindergarten year and we are very
grateful to Ms. Bernstein.

Sylvia Frattaroli, Early Childhood teacher, Whittier School, District
97
Sylvia Frattaroli has been nominated for a SEAstar award year after
year by parents who are so grateful that their young children had the
privilege to be taught by her.  Mrs. Frattaroli succeeds in involving
every child regardless of his/her special needs in the classroom
activities.  She expects that each child will make progress in her
classroom and accepts nothing less.  She is a very kind and warm
person who is open and honest during discussions with parents.  She is
one of those teachers who a young child will never forget.

Laura Hartwell & Therese Hayes, Director & Lead Teacher, Behavioral
Interactions
All the people at Behavioral Interactions are dedicated, talented and
loving.  Through Laura's vision, Behavioral Interactions was created
to serve the needs of severely developmentally delayed children who are
unable to communicate.  Laura runs the center with very limited funds
and a lot of heart.  She has our family's respect and admiration
Therese oversees our son's day to day curriculum.  This requires a
lot of time and skill.  Under her direction, he is slowly starting to
speak.  We admire all our son's behavior analysts and hold them all
in high esteem. The work is hard and the pay is low. What they do for
our son, truly comes from the heart.

Kara Kabat - Regular Education Teacher, OPRF
Kara Kabat taught my daughter Freshman Biology. She presented the
material in so many ways it was almost impossible not to learn the
material. This was helpful for many students who struggle in school,
and was especially helpful for my child. Many "hands on"
opportunities were used to reinforce the material in the textbook. She
provided chapter summaries with questions to help the students extract
the important details as they read. This was very helpful for my child
because she has reading comprehension difficulties and science can be
challenging. Kara was also receptive to ideas from me and was always
willing to spend extra time with my child when needed.

Matt Maloney - Regular Education Teacher, OPRF
Matt Maloney is an outstanding history teacher. He emails all the
parents, case managers, and in my case, my child's tutor, the weekly
class schedule. The parents know exactly what to expect that week. Matt
is available to help the students whenever possible, in the morning,
after school, during lunch, etc. My child's favorite mode of
communication with teachers is via emails. She emails Mr. Maloney
questions all the time, and he always responds in a very timely and
positive manner. He ties the history lessons with current events. Matt
provides a challenging world history curriculum in an interesting and
fun way - not always an easy task.

Matthew Medbourn - Instructional Teacher, Julian Middle School, D 97
Mr. Medbourn is the personification of dedication. He comes in nearly
every morning to tutor students who need extra work. He tutors my
daughter in Math every Monday and Wednesday morning. He also meets with
me to discuss the results of this tutoring. Mr. Medbourn is a skilled
classroom teacher. He feels his students learn best through haptic
learning. He brings concepts alive so that students can see and touch
and then understand. He is humorous enough to keep students liking
learning, but not so much that he loses control. Finally, Mr. Medbourn
is an advocate. He advocated for my daughter to go to two regular
education classrooms. He makes sure she is getting her needs met there
by talking to these teachers and explaining what she needs. He is truly
a gem.

Kathy Ostler - Resource Teacher, Irving School, D 97
Kathy Ostler came into our lives at the beginning of our son's 2nd
grade year.  We were frantic that our bright, engaging little boy had
not yet begun reading and seemed traumatized at even trying.  After two
years of working with Kathy, our son can read.  Her warm, accepting
encouragement has helped him to believe in himself academically in a
way we wouldn't have previously thought possible.  Thanks to her, the
doors to the future are open for him.  Kathy has been a godsend for me
as well.  On my most discouraged days, she has been there to remind me
that all any of us can do as parents is the best that we can.  Thank
you, Kathy.  You have made a difference.

Sharon Patchak Layman - Board Member, D 97
Sharon has been unflinching in her devotion to assuring that D97 meets
the need of all it students - including those with disabilities.
Importantly, when considering issues before the Board, she has always
taken the time to learn how proposed policies may impact students with
disabilities and has been vocal in her efforts to assure that students
with disabilities are taken into consideration before any action is
taken.

Clifton Plaxico, Taxi Driver
Cliff has a warm heart and makes my son feel loved and respected by his
kindness and concern.  He is an excellent driver, who is always on time
and never misses a day. He encourages my son to speak and behave like a
typical five year old by having him wear his backpack and wave and say
hi and bye.  Cliff is truly part of my son's team and learning
experience.  Our family is grateful for Cliff and he has our deepest
respect.  We know our son is safe with him.

Audrey Roen - 6th grade student, Brooks Middle School, D 97
Audrey is a remarkable young woman who truly understands what it means
to accept everyone just for who they are. She has many friends, some of
whom have disabilities. What is remarkable is that, to Audrey, the
disability appears to be no more significant in the friendship than,
perhaps, the person's name or whether they like ice cream. Because of
her amazing attitude, she has opened other students' eyes to see their
peers with disabilities as potential friends. It may be, in part,
because she has had students with disabilities included in her regular
education classes for many years, that she possesses this amazing
attitude. Whatever the reason, Audrey stands as an example of how to be
a true friend and equal to her peers with disabilities.

Amy Stanis - Special Education Teacher/Case Manager, OPRF
Amy is my child's case manager and academic strategies teacher. This
is her second year at OPRFHS, and she is a wonderful, enthusiastic,
smart addition to the staff. Her knowledge of special education is
remarkable. She's willing to advocate for my child, and she responds
quickly to requests and inquiries. Amy really understands my daughter,
both her strengths and weaknesses. She is an adult at the high school
that my child can go to for advice and help, and she always treats me,
and my suggestions with respect. Amy has definitely made a difference
in my daughter's life and has helped her to be successful at the high
school.

Pat Staszak - Regular Education Teacher, OPRF
Ms. Staszak was my child's English teacher last year at OPRFHS. She
is wonderful. Pat's teaching style is such that most kids will
succeed in her class, even those who have learning difficulties. She
presents the material in many modes. She provides story maps and
emphasizes vocabulary. This was especially helpful for my daughter
because vocabulary is an area of weakness for her. She always offered
help, was open to suggestions about teaching that might help my child,
and made some pretty challenging material (Shakespeare, Odyssey)
manageable. Pat told me she loves teaching, and it shows. My daughter
agrees and told me, "Ms. Staszak is a really good teacher."