Congratulations to the 2024 Excellence Awards Winners and Many Thanks!

A round of applause to all the nominees and winners of the Arlington SEPTA Awards for Excellence in Special Education!!! We are so grateful for such an incredible group of educators, staff, administrators, programs, volunteers, and students. Congratulations to the 2024 winners:

Isabella G. Nannini Award for Outstanding Student Advocate
Noah Johnson, Kenmore Middle School

Exceptional Ally Award for Outstanding Student Ally
Murphy Keller & Jamie Hayman, Yorktown High School

Howie Kallem Award for Outstanding Volunteer
Kathleen Clark, Parent

Antuon Townsend Award for Outstanding Aide/Assistant or Support Staff
Beth Newlin, Eunice Kennedy Shriver Program

Annie Turner Award for Outstanding Administrator
Marvin Flores, KW Barrett Elementary School

Mary C. McBride Award- Outstanding School or Program
Multi-Intervention Program for Students with Autism (MIP-A), Wakefield High School

Eileen K. Crawford Award for Outstanding Educator
Maggie Roth, Teacher of the Visually Impaired for Multiple Schools

Thank you to the Kenmore Middle School Team for being gracious and accommodating hosts for our event.  Thank you to Dr. Durán, cabinet members, the Office of Special Education, the Parent Resource Center, administration, and staff for prioritizing and continuing to improve special education. We are encouraged by all the progress made these past years in our partnerships at all levels of APS, and truly value the rich dialogues we have had throughout the year as Dr. Durán mentioned and growing the SEPTA community.

Thank you to our board of directors who put in countless volunteer hours, after long days, working, parenting, and advocating to put together the events and carry on SEPTA business:

• Kathleen Clark and Alison Cassels as Past Co-Presidents and Alison who also took on VP of Communications
• Greg Pence for keeping our budget healthy as Treasurer for 4 years
• Deirdre McDermott, who is also wrapping up a 4 year volunteer as Secretary
• Melissa Thierry our VP of Programming, throwing a fantastic summer activities fair every year
• Karen Peterson our VP of Membership for getting us over 100 members
• Melissa Wadman for spearheading Mini-Grants and all of the Mini-Grants Committee members
• Wendy Pizer our zealous Advocacy Chair who keeps us and the county on top of pressing needs to ensure the rights of our community members are respected
• Karen Archbold and Melissa Rivero our Espacio Hispano representatives
• Kristin Gillig, Parent Liaison Coordinator for getting us all connected to folks at our home schools

And last but far from least, Margy Dunn, our SEPTA Awards Chair Extraordinaire.  Thank you for your dedication, passion, and creativity for making this special night possible. Without you ALL, this wouldn’t work.