Celebrating Excellence in Autism Services
MCPS celebrated excellence in autism services during the third annual Autism Unit Awards on April 25. Teachers, paraeducators, administrators, service providers, volunteers and substitutes were recognized.
The autism program supports more than 1,500 students in 50 schools. Classes are taught by 178 teachers and more than 350 paraeducators.
Awards included:
Outstanding New Paraeducator: Given to paraeducators in their first two years working in the autism program, who have demonstrated commitment to excellence in their role.
- Alexander Schardt, Kensington Parkwood Elementary School
- Germaine Foster, Darnestown Elementary School
- Jessica de Oliveira Barboza, Cloverly Elementary School
- Megan Fedders, Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary School
- Emily Horick, Silver Creek Middle School
- Erica Morris, Ridgeview Middle School
- Yuriko Nikaidoh, Rosa Parks Middle School
Outstanding Paraeducator: Given to paraeducators who exemplify student centered support to their classrooms, programs and school community. Our truly “outstanding” paraeducators are the backbone of our classrooms, jumping in at a moment’s notice to support their students in ways too numerous to count.
- Christian Forbes, Sherwood Elementary School
- Karen Smith, Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary School
- Maria Fernandez, Darnestown Elementary School
- Maureen Kelsey, Rock Creek Forest Elementary School
- Suchita Vozenilek, Meadow Hall Elementary School
- Tifany Davis, Fields Road Elementary School
- Adetomi Oseni-Adegbite, Rosa Parks Middle School
- Eileen Romero, Ridgeview Middle School
- Nadia Zahime, Ridgeview Middle School
- Savitrie Miller, Takoma Park Middle School
Excellence in Paraeducator Leadership and Collaboration: Recognizing paraeducators who have shown an independent drive to mentor new team members, natural leaders who go above and beyond, while being truly outstanding in their field.
- Akiko Niepa, Cannon Road Elementary School
- Jenifer Borjas, Wheaton Woods Elementary School
- Jennifer Yang, Carderock Springs Elementary School
- Kellie Blackledge, Kensington Parkwood Elementary School
- Liz Melillo. Woodfield Elementary School
- Nicole Hubble, Woodfield Elementary School
- Valeria Tortorelli, Maryvale Elementary School
- Mary Ann Klanke, Thomas S. Wootton High School
Outstanding New Teacher: Recognizing an outstanding teacher in their first two years working in the autism program, who have demonstrated commitment to excellence in their role.
- Aryna Taylor, Rosemont Elementary School
- Jordan Grant, Kensington Parkwood Elementary School
- Scott Murtha, Robert Frost Middle School
Teacher: Excellence in Instruction: Recognizing teachers with a commitment to outstanding instruction in academic instruction, work-based learning, programming, community-based instruction, communication systems, social skills, social-emotional learning or transition readiness.
- Deborah Engel, Fields Road Elementary School
- Benjamin Wisniewski, Montgomery Village Middle School
- Caitlin Fasano, Watkins Mill High School
- Maria Acevedo, Takoma Park Middle School
Teacher: Excellence in Leadership and Collaboration: Recognizing teachers who have shown an independent drive to mentor new team members or classrooms at their school.
- Amy Marella-Carpenter, Maryvale Elementary School
- Catherine Nieto, Diamond Elementary School
- Chelsea Goldberg, Fields Road Elementary School
- Kira Toms, Darnestown Elementary School
Exceptional Commitment and Service: Recognizing school staff who have gone above and beyond in supporting autism service classrooms inside and outside of their assigned schools through taking on additional responsibilities.
- Kathlynn Mahesh
- Malena Boyle
- Megan Reifer
- Yolanda Dube
- Selena Buggan
- Jenna Atta
Outstanding General Educators: Given to those who have demonstrated a commitment to foster inclusive learning communities for students with autism.
- Allison Becker, English Language Development teacher, Rock Creek Forest Elementary School
- Joanne Zeidman, staff development teacher, Kensington Parkwood Elementary School
- John Borneman, art teacher, Cloverly Elementary School
- Marilyn Keane, adaptive physical education teacher, Earle B. Wood Middle School
Outstanding Related Service Providers: Given to recognize the efforts of related service providers. Their collaboration with classroom teams, flexibility and willingness to work with difficult situations is exceptional.
- Diane Flood, middle school transition liaison
- DJ Connelly, senior planner
- Elizabeth Allen, occupational therapist
- Lia Bailey, transportation specialist
- Lindsay Cowen, occupational therapist
- Judith Beucher, speech language pathologist
- Sara Kalyan, speech language pathologist
- Shadi Benze, speech language pathologist
Outstanding Administrators: Recognizing strong school administrators who demonstrate ongoing commitment to support teachers and students within any school-based autism program.
- Candace Ross, principal, Kensington Parkwood Elementary School
- Dawn Fersch-Burns, special education resource teacher, Montgomery Village Middle School
- Jessica Moon Duvall, assistant principal, Kensington Parkwood Elementary School
- Kristine Donohue, principal, Cannon Road Elementary School
- Monica Kellner, assistant principal, Ridgeview Middle School
- Ryan Celestino, special education resource teacher, Silver Creek Middle School