Arlington SEPTA’s Recognition for Excellence in Supporting Special Education

Due date extended to May 10

During this unique time when we are all struggling to keep our academic routine, more than ever, we all realize the challenges that our teachers face and can better appreciate their persistence and dedication to our children.  Please consider honoring their work by submitting a nomination for the Septa Awards. Nominations include school, admin, teacher, assistant, parent, student or student ally.

SEPTA welcomes nominations for recognition of students, staff, volunteers and schools or programs.  All nominees will be recognized for their participation. Winners will be announced by June 15, 2020.

Please note:

• You do not need to be a member of SEPTA to submit a nomination.
• You may submit multiple nominations for the different categories.
• Write a Nominating Statement of 500 words or less.
• Nominating Statements are provided to award recipients and will be shared in part or in their entirety at the awards event.
• Information about nominators is not shared with award recipients.

Nominations must be received by midnight, MAY 10th, 2020.
Please choose the most appropriate award for each nominee.  Scroll down to see award descriptions. 

• Turner Award – to an outstanding administrator. Submit your nomination HERE
• Crawford Award – to an outstanding educator. Submit your nomination HERE
• Exceptional Support Award – to an outstanding aide/assistant or support staff. Submit your nomination HERE
• McBride Award – to an outstanding school or program. Submit your nomination HERE
• Howie Award – to an outstanding parent or volunteer. Submit your nomination HERE
• Nannini Award – to an outstanding student advocate. Submit your nomination HERE
• Exceptional Ally Award – to an outstanding student ally. Submit your nomination HERE

AWARD DESCRIPTIONS:

Turner Award – to an outstanding Administrator: Includes school-level or county-level administrators, directors, supervisors, coordinators, specialists, and School Board members.  This person provides outstanding advocacy for students receiving special education, demonstrates leadership through the school or district’s policy and practices, and creates a culture of valuing, sharing and celebrating special education within the school community and/or county-wide.  The nominee goes above the job description, including but not limited to:

• Ensuring that all students, including students with disabilities, are encouraged and welcomed before, during, and after school activities, where students’ individualized support needs are thoughtfully considered and addressed, making these opportunities accessible to all.

Crawford Award – to an outstanding educator.  Includes special education and general education teachers, therapists, specialists, related-service providers, Parent Resource Center staff, AsTech staff, counselors, school psychologists, social workers, etc.   This nominee is someone who has provided innovative or consistently outstanding services to advance the success of APS students receiving special education services, above and beyond the requirements of their job description, including but not limited to:

• Providing school leadership in developing or carrying out instructional or social practices to promote achievement and participation of students receiving special education services.
• Implementing exceptional teaching practices in the classroom (special education or general education) which enable achievement and participation of students receiving special education services.

Exceptional Support Award – to an outstanding aide/assistant or support staff.  Includes school-level support staff such as classroom aides/assistants, cafeteria, custodial and extended-day staff, or county-level support staff such as transportation staff members. This nominee is someone who has provided innovative or consistently outstanding support to APS students receiving special education services and/or their families, going above and beyond the requirements of their job description.

McBride Award – to an outstanding school or program.  A school or school-based program that has demonstrated outstanding results in promoting success of students with disabilities through the cooperative efforts of school administration, general education staff, special education staff, parents and students.

Howie Award – to an outstanding parent or volunteer.  A parent or volunteer who has made an outstanding contribution to the APS special education community in one or more of the following ways:

• Dissemination of valuable information to staff and/or parents;
• Planning and conducting staff or parent training programs;
• Providing support to school programs by organizing volunteers or providing direct in-school assistance; and/or
• Providing support to parents through participation in group meetings, PTO/PTA functions or other relevant community events.

Nannini Award – to an outstanding student advocate.  The Nannini Award will go to a student who receives special education services.  The Exceptional Ally Award will go to any student currently enrolled in APS. These students have made an outstanding contribution to school objectives, programs or activities in one or more of the following ways:

• Actively participates in school programs that increase peer acceptance and support of individual differences; and/or
• Demonstrates leadership in student activities to promote a spirit of caring, belonging and cooperation among the student body.

Exceptional Ally Award – to an outstanding student ally.  This award will go to a student who is not receiving special education services but is an APS student.  These students are actively involved in helping students with disabilities at their school or other school or program involving school age students inside APS.  These students have made an outstanding contribution to school objectives, programs or activities in one or more of the following ways:

•   Actively participates in school programs that increase peer acceptance and support of individual differences; and/or
•   Demonstrates leadership in student activities to promote a spirit of caring, belonging and cooperation among the student body.