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Three educators recently
won the Special Education Make a Difference Award from the Macomb County’s
Parent Advisory Committee (PAC). These awards are especially meaningful
because students and their parents nominated their favorite educators for
the honor.
This year’s winners are:
Kimberly Deshon,
a first-grade teacher who believes all students can learn at Lighthouse
Elementary School in the Anchor Bay School District.
Kerri Gipson,
a kindergarten teacher who helped integrate a special needs student with
Autism into her King Academy classroom in Mount Clemens Community
Schools.
Jason Ratkowski,
a science teacher who helped transition a special needs student back
into Wolfe Middle School in Center Line Public Schools.
Congratulations to each of
you from the
Macomb County Parent Advisory Committee
Anchor Bay School District
Lighthouse Elementary School
Kimberly Deshon
has taught for the past seven years in the lower elementary grades for
Anchor Bay Schools. She is deeply committed to the belief that all
children can learn and provides a diversified educational experience
tailored to meet each student’s individual needs. Her students’ success
is extremely important to Kimberly. She works tirelessly with the
parents as well as the students to provide every possible tool needed to
succeed. Students with special needs are very important to her. Her
belief that all students can learn draws the admiration of parents, her
fellow staff members and most importantly from the children who enjoy
being in her classroom.
Mount Clemens Community Schools
King Academy
Kerri Gipson
loves giving students a variety of learning experiences. She takes
current and former students to various activities after school and makes
a hobby of providing “adventures” that give them the chance to
experience new places and things. When working with her graduate
students at Saginaw Valley State University, she encourages them to
stretch their minds and likes listening to their reflection of the
world. She is generous and reaches out to families in need and makes
time to work with other teachers. She also stays involved with school
committees and spends spare time working at childcare centers. She
enjoys dance, music, sports and planting flowers to beautify the school
building.
 Center Line Public
Schools
Wolfe Middle School
Jason Ratkowski
began his career in
2001, working with an organization that takes “exotic animals” to
schools for students to see firsthand. Jason’s love of science and
outdoors is easily observed by walking into his classroom. He surrounds
himself and his students with snake skins, taxidermy owls, ducks, deer
and alligator heads, as well as living reptiles such as lizards and
turtles. His students eagerly work on mobiles demonstrating their
creativity and understanding of light, motion and weight. Jason’s use of
hands-on experiences for students reinforces his beliefs that all
students can learn when provided with varied and exciting opportunities.
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