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Utah CEC Professional Awards

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Nomination Process

Professional Awards

awarded to a professional/citizen who has:

 

  • Made an outstanding contribution
  • Demonstrated sustained interest in the field and his/her contribution to the field is substantial
  • Been involved in policy development at various levels (e.g., local, state, federal)
  • Made a substantial impact on service, research, or education

awarded to a special education administrator who:

 

  • Has demonstrated leadership and vision in terms of administration of programs for exceptional children and/or youth
  • Is an active member of CEC for at least five continuous years (preferred)
  • Has demonstrated sustained interest in the field and their contribution to the field is substantial  

awarded to a professional worker who:

 

  • Has made an outstanding contribution
  • Has demonstrated sustained interest in the field and their contribution to the field is substantial
  • Has made a substantial impact on service, research, or education
  • Is an active member of CEC for at least five continuous years (preferred)  

awarded to an educator who:

 

  • Provides direct service to children
  • Is an active member of CEC for at least five continuous years (preferred)
  • Has made an outstanding contribution
  • Has demonstrated a sustained interest in the field and his/her contributions to the field are substantial

awarded to a general education teacher who:

 

  • Has made a substantial impact with students with disabilities in the general education setting
  • Uses innovative and meaningful inclusive practices to promote success for each student
  • Has made an outstanding contribution through collaboration with colleagues and families
  • Inspires and advocates for each student  

awarded to a paraeducator who:

 

  • Provides direct service to children
  • Demonstrated a sustained interest in the field
  • Made an outstanding contribution
  • Has made substantial contributions to the field  

awarded to a university/college student who:

  • Is an active member of SCEC
  • Has demonstrated ongoing commitment
  • Shows strong promise as a future teacher in the field
  • Excels scholastically/academically

awarded to a student who: 

  • Demonstrates advocacy for students with disabilities
  • Consistently exercises leadership among peers across a variety of settings
  • Shows strong promise as an ongoing advocate
  • Makes a substantial contribution to the school and/or community

awarded to the parent(s) of a student with exceptionalities who:

  • Is actively involved in programs and/or services provided to their own child
  • Advocates for or provides services to other exceptional persons
  • Has made a substantial impact on service or education for exceptional children
  • Has demonstrated continued interest in the field of special education  

awarded to a business or organization who: 

 

  • Provides employment/training opportunities for individuals with disabilities and/or
  • Makes financial contributions which have aided in the education or habilitation of individuals with disabilities
  • Provides volunteer services to organizations which provide services to individuals with disabilities (i.e., Special Olympics, Camp Kostopolus, schools/education programs, etc.)

Past Award Recipients

CEC Awards 2020

Professional Awards Recipient Position Company/District
Ben Bruse Distinguished Service Award Dr. Jack Mayhew    
Stevan J. Kukic Special Education Administrator of the Year Anthony Done    
Hilda B. Jones Special Educator of the Year Carrie Peterson    
Joanne Gilles Teacher of the Year Holly Williamson    
Utah CEC General Education Teacher of the Year Samantha Cress    
Marilyn Likins Paraeducator of the Year Roberta Wilson    
Jeanette Misaka SCEC Student of the Year Heather Pappas   Weber State
Utah CEC Peer Advocate of the Year Mia Stubbs    
Special Education Parents of the Year Kris & Kecia Cox   Murray School District
Outstanding Business of the Year No nomination    

 

CEC Awards 2019

Professional Awards Recipient Position Company/District
Ben Bruse Distinguished Service Award Kathy Hill   University of Utah
Stevan J. Kukic Special Education Administrator of the Year Terri Mitchell   Canyons School District
Hilda B. Jones Special Educator of the Year Jodi Iwasaki   Salt Lake City School District
Joanne Gilles Teacher of the Year Antonia (Toni) Lemens   Salt Lake City School District
Jeanette Misaka SCEC Student of the Year ----    
Utah CEC Peer Advocate of the Year Megan Mabey    Salt Lake City School District
Special Education Parents of the Year Sehida Tulic   Salt Lake City School District
Outstanding Business of the Year J&J Nursery- Andy & Shannon Stevenson   J&J Nursery

 

CEC Awards 2018

Professional Awards Recipient Position Company/District
Ben Bruse Distinguished Service Award Steven K. Hirase   Murray School District
Stevan J. Kukic Special Education Administrator of the Year Leah Voorhies   Utah State Board Of Education
Hilda B. Jones Special Educator of the Year Heidi Nelson   Brigham Young University
Joanne Gilles Teacher of the Year Jason Tackett   Salt Lake City School District
Jeanette Misaka SCEC Student of the Year Kurt Cottle   Brigham Young University
Utah CEC Peer Advocate of the Year Jacque Tovar   Salt Lake City School District
Special Education Parents of the Year Calleen Kenney   Canyons School District
Outstanding Business of the Year Nicholas and Company- Ted Gundersen   Nicholas and Company

 

CEC Awards 2017

Professional Awards Recipient Position Company/District
Ben Bruse Distinguished Service Award Dr. Bob Morgan Professor of Special Education Utah State University
Stevan J. Kukic Special Education Administrator of the Year Shannon Deets Student Services Director Uinta School District
Hilda B. Jones Special Educator of the Year Susan Loving Education Specialist for School to Post-School Transition UBOE
Joanne Gilles Teacher of the Year Danelle Nessen Special Education Teacher Murray School District
Jeanette Misaka SCEC Student of the Year Claudy Eckardt Board Member of WSU’s Student CEC Weber State University
Utah CEC Peer Advocate of the Year Nichole Athens Paraeducator Murray School District
Special Education Parents of the Year Nathan and Cyndie Anderson Parents Murray School District
Outstanding Business of the Year Charlotte Smith Manager SLCC Campus Bookstore
Last Updated:  9 November, 2020

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