|
Five educators won the Special Education Make a Difference Award from the Macomb County’s
Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) in 2010. These awards are especially meaningful
because students and their parents nominated their favorite educators for
the honor.
This year's winners are:
-
Mary Ann Bagdasarian,
Maconce Elementary, Anchor Bay Schools
-
Kristina Barel, Ewell Elementary,
Utica Community Schools
-
Mary Matthes, Neil Reid High, Macomb ISD
-
Kelly Strackbein, Sugarbush
Elementary, Anchor Bay Schools
-
Maryann Weingarden, Monfort & Morgan, Utica Community
Schools
CONGRATULATIONS to this year's
winners
from the
Macomb County Parent Advisory Committee
Anchor Bay Schools
Maconce Elementary
Mary Ann Bagdasarian
is a
gifted teacher who has been
with Anchor Bay Schools for
15 years. In that time, many
children have gone through
her program who have
benefitted by her caring,
compassion, and passion for
excellence. Working with a
team of other educators,
Mary Ann plans for the
educational, behavioral, and
social success of her
students. Mrs. Bagdasarian
communicates with parents on
a weekly basis and forms
strong relationships with
them. There is no better way
to start school for a
three-year-old than to start
in Mary Ann Bagdasarian’s
classroom!
 Utica
Community Schools
Ewell Elementary School
Kristina
Barel
is an exceptional educator
who staunchly believes in
every child’s ability to
succeed, no matter what
barriers or obstacles
challenge their learning.
She is adept at
individualizing instruction
to meet the needs of her
students at every range of
ability. Through her
conviction that children
have resources within them
that will enable them to
surpass low expectations,
Kristi has helped students
make remarkable social and
academic progress in meeting
grade-level expectations.
The loving and patient
assistance that she provided
this year to a
highly-autistic child has
enabled him to adapt to the
first-grade general
education setting; and he
has gained confidence and
become a happy learner who
is loved by all. Kristi
possesses excellent
communication skills and has
an enthusiastic and highly
positive personality.
Through her encouragement,
parents volunteer in her
classroom on a daily basis,
enabling Kristi to provide
many hands-on learning
experiences that result in
great benefit to students.
Kristi has earned the
admiration and respect of
students, parents, and
fellow staff members.
 Macomb
Intermediate Schools
Neil Reid High School
Mary
Matthes
began her career as a
paraprofessional at Keith
Bovenschen School in 1973.
She worked with SCI students
whose ages ranged from 3-5
years old. After nearly
eight years, Mary moved to
Phoenix, Arizona and became
the program coordinator of
Palmcroft Preschool. In
1990, Mary returned to the
MISD where she has mainly
worked in the SEI program at
Neil E. Reid High School.
Since Mary has become the
Student Council Adviser, she
and her S.C. members have
worked closely in the
community with organizations
such as Habitat for
Humanity, Macomb County
Humane Society, Macomb
County Food Service and
various Homeless programs in
the area. Mary also has
challenged her S.C. members
to become global citizens by
encouraging them to join
groups such as Free the
Children, O Ambassadors
Club/Oprah's Angel Network
and Girls World. The groups
have organized several walks
for charity and have
responded to global
emergencies by raising funds
for Relief in Haiti.
.
 Anchor
Bay
Schools
Sugarbush
Elementary School
Kelly
Strackbein is an
outstanding educator and a
gifted, dedicated teacher.
She is committed to
providing a positive,
successful learning
experience for every one of
her students. This is
especially evident in her
interaction with special
needs children. She has a
special place in her heart
for those who face a
lifetime of challenges. No
stone is left unturned in
finding additional
strategies, resources, and
support for the special
education student
population. She considers
working with them a gift.
 Utica
Community Schools
Monfort & Morgan Elementaries
Maryann
Weingarden
is a long-time school
social worker in Utica Community Schools who is highly regarded by
parents, colleagues and students. She began her social work career at
Children’s Aid Society of Detroit and then went on to become the
Director of Common Ground, a Community Mental Health clinic in
Birmingham. She also worked for a short time in Rochester Community
Schools before joining the UCS team. Ms. Weingarden is diverse in her
talents and abilities but has developed a specialty area in working with
students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is a certified START coach
as well as a founding staff member of the Utica C.O.R.E. program, a
resource room program for students with ASD. She is a recognized leader
among her peers, currently serving as Social Work Department
Chairperson. In addition to her high level of professional knowledge
and skill, Ms. Weingarden’s trademark is her unending enthusiasm in
working on the behalf of children with special needs.
To return to the Macomb PAC web site,
click
here.
|
