Utah CEC Professional Awards
Utah CEC Awards 2025
Who do you know that is making a difference in the field of Special Education? Do you know a student with disabilities who is accomplishing amazing things? There is so much good that is happening in the field of Special Education, in our schools and communities and the Utah Council for Exceptional Children invites your help to acknowledge the amazing professionals , businesses, parents, and individuals around you!
We know you know an amazing general educator, special educator, parent, administrator, student, service provider, researcher, etc. Help us recognize their efforts!
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 |