Award Winners

FCEC 2009 Annual State Conference

 Dr. Donald DeVito

2009 FCEC Marjorie Crick Teacher of the Year

Dr. Jonathan C. McIntire & Dr. Eleanor C. Guetzloe

The 2009 Prestigious Landis M. Stetler Award

 Alana Medlin

2009 FCEC Dr. Jack R. Lamb Rookie Teacher of the Year

2009 FCEC Marjorie Crick Teacher of the Year Winner!

Dr. Donald DeVito- nominated by the  Gatorland Chapter of the Florida Council for Exceptional Children. Dr. DeVito’s  greatest accomplishment is his dissertation “The Communicative Function of Behavioral Responses to Music by Public School Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.” The results of this study are used to instruct music educators to recognize positive behavioral communication, indicate student music preferences through augmentative communication devices and transition students toward assessment and functional musicianship. DeVito’s philosophy of teaching is to believe the arts allow students with disabilities to transcend their challenges through creative self expression.

[News Article about Dr. Donald DeVito October 14, 2009]

2009 FCEC Marjorie Crick Teacher of the Year Nominees

Dr. Donald DeVito- nominated by the Gatorland Chapter of the Florida Council for Exceptional Children. Dr. DeVito is a music teacher and ESE teacher accommodating students ages from 2-21 with moderate to profound mental, physical, and emotional challenges. Dr. DeVito teaches at the Sidney Lanier School, Newberry, Florida. Dr. DeVito has a BA in Music Education, Master’s degree in Music Education, and Ph.D. in Music Education; all from the University of Florida. Dr. DeVito is also certified by the state of Florida in the area of Exceptional Student Education K-12. Dr. DeVito has been teaching for twelve (12) years, seven (7) of those years in Exceptional Student Education.

Donna Marie Ott- nominated by the Palm Beach Chapter of the Florida Council for Exceptional Children. Ms. Ott is a Technology Teacher and Coordinator in Exceptional Student Education. Ms. Ott teaches at Royal Palm School, Wellington, Florida. Ms. Ott has a BA in Psychology from the Florida International University as well as pursuing post graduate work in School Psychology at Florida International University. Ms. Ott has been teaching for twenty-two (22) years, nineteen (19) years in Exceptional Student Education.

Dr. Amber Luke- nominated by the Sunset Sarasota Chapter of the Florida Council for Exceptional Children. Dr. Luke is an ESE teacher in working with students that are hospital homebound and serves as ESE Liaison.  Dr. Luke teaches at Glenallen Elementary School, Northport, Florida. Dr. Luke has a BA in Philosophy and Religion from Rollins College, a Masters in Special Education with an emphasis on Education for Students with Mental Handicaps, and an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Luke has been teaching ten (10) years, all of which in Exceptional Student Education.

Paulette Pickering- nominated by the Suncoast St. Petersburg Chapter of the Florida Council for Exceptional Children. Ms. Pickering is a High School ESE teacher working with students with Intellectual Disabilities, grades 9, 10 and 12.  Ms. Pickering teaches at Paul B. Stephens ESE Center, Largo, Florida. Ms. Pickering has a BA in English from the State University of New York and Florida certification in Exceptional Student Education.  Ms. Pickering has been teaching for seven (7) years, six (6) of those years teaching in ESE.

The 2009 Prestigious Landis M. Stetler Award Winners!

Congratulations to Dr. McIntire and Dr. Guetzloe!

Dr. Jonathan C. McIntire-Dr. McIntire is known as a champion of children with autism and their families. Dr. McIntire’s professional interest includes: educational leadership and administrations, program development and restructuring, program evaluation, system’s change, research, policy development and training in education with a focus on blending special and regular education to create a unified education system. Dr. McIntire has provided consultation to National organizations, Universities, State Education Agencies, and Local School Districts across the Country.

Dr. Eleanor C. Guetzloe-Dr. Guetzloe has a reputation of being a dynamic leader during her almost half-century career in special education, music education, and advocacy for children and adolescents with behavioral disorders, their families, and the professionals who work with them.  Professional educators across the country describe Dr. Guetzloe as one of the most distinguishable leaders in the field of emotional/behavioral disorders in North America. Dr. Guetzloe has worked tirelessly to ensure that children with Emotional Behavioral Disorders would become independent and successful members of our society.

The 2009 Prestigious Landis M. Stetler Award Nominees

Dr. Jonathan C. McIntire-nominated by Janet Nunnelly, Past President/ESE Program Specialist of the Orange County Chapter of the Florida Council for Exceptional Children.  Dr. McIntire has a B.S. in Education and Psychology from the St. Lawrence University, M.Ed. in Blind and Deaf/Blind education from Boston College, a M.Ed. in Learning Disabilities from Teachers College, and a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Administration from The University of Michigan.

Dr. Eleanor C. Guetzloe- nominated by Carol Dinsdale, President of the CCBD Chapter of the Florida Council for Exceptional Children. Dr. Guetzloe has a B.S. in Music Education from the University of Tampa, a Master’s in Special Education from the University of South Florida, and an Ed.D. in Behavioral Disorders from The University of Florida.  

2009 FCEC Dr. Jack R. Lamb Rookie Teacher of the Year Winner!

Alana Medlin- nominated by the Suncoast St. Petersburg Chapter of the Florida Council for Exceptional Children. Ms. Medlin’s greatest accomplishment is teaching her students to be more independent and to interact appropriately. Her contributions to education include mentoring her struggling students, working cohesively with colleagues in an inclusion setting, attending extracurricular activities to support students, and starting an after-school program tailored specifically for students with disabilities. Ms. Medlin’s philosophy of teaching was inspired by her brother who is disabled and has profoundly impacted who she is. Ms. Medlin’s philosophy is that “all children are capable of learning and developing if we believe in them and provide the necessary support.”

2009 FCEC Dr. Jack R. Lamb Rookie Teacher of the Year Nominees

Alana Medlin-nominated by the Suncoast St. Petersburg Chapter of the Florida Council for Exceptional Children. Ms. Medlin is an ESE teacher in a K/1 classroom specifically for children with Autism. Ms. Medlin teaches at Douglass L. Jamerson Elementary, St. Petersburg, Florida. Ms. Medlin has a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Florida as well as a Masters in Elementary Education with a specialization in Special Education from the University of Florida.

Carol J. Welch-nominated by the Orange County Chapter of the Florida Council for Exceptional Children. Ms. Welch is an ESE teacher with Pre-K/K children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Ms. Welch teaches at Palm Lake Elementary in Orange County, Florida. Ms. Welch has a BA in Psychology from the University of Central Florida as well as an Ed.S. in School Psychology from the University of Central Florida. Ms. Welch has been teaching for two (2) years. 

Elizabeth R. Clark- nominated by the Gatorland Chapter of the Florida Council for Exceptional Children. Ms. Clark is an ESE teacher in a K-5 classroom specifically for children with varying exceptionalities. Ms. Clark teaches at Chester Shell Elementary School, Hawthorne, Florida. Ms. Clark has a BA in Communications from Farleigh Dickinson University. Ms. Clark has been teaching for three (3) years.  

Andrea Walsh- nominated by the Seminole Chapter of the Florida Council for Exceptional Children. Ms. Medlin is an ESE teacher in a K/1 classroom specifically for children with Autism. Ms. Medlin teaches at Douglass L. Jamerson Elementary, St. Petersburg, Florida. Ms. Medlin has a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Florida as well as a Masters in Elementary Education with a specialization in Special Education from the University of Florida. Ms. Walsh has been teaching for one (1) year. 

STATE CONFERENCE SARASOTA 2008

 

2008 Marjorie Crick Teacher of the Year Award Winner

Congratulations to Mary Ellen Byrne who was named the 2008 Marjorie Crick Teacher of the Year Award Winner. Mary Ellen is a member of Sunset Unit 296 of the Council for Exceptional Children. Mary Ellen is certified in the areas of MR, SLD, Motor Disabilities, and Pre-K Handicapped Endorsement. Mary Ellen is a Pre-K through 4th grade teacher in the area of varying exceptionalities at Emma E. Booker Elementary School located in Sarasota, Florida. Ms. Byrne earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of South Florida in 1975 and a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction Pre-K handicapped from University of South Florida in 1988. Mary Ellen has 33 years of experience teaching in exceptional student education. "Her connection to the students as individuals and their families creates a lifelong bond that fosters a love of learning throughout their schooling career." "Right before the 2004 school year, Mary Ellen was diagnosed with breast cancer. But because of her dedication to her school and to her students, Mary Ellen never missed more than 2 days per month while she was traveling to Tampa for her treatment. Yet even coming to school sick and pale, she managed to give her students all the love and attention she could muster, because she did not want them to lose out on their short time with her in her classroom."

2008 Dr. Jack R. Lamb Rookie Teacher of the Year Award Winner

Congratulations to Diana Moran-Lare who was named the 2008 Dr. Jack R. Lamb Rookie Teacher of the Year. Diana is a member of the Suncoast Chapter 176 of the Council for Exceptional Children. Diana is certified in the areas of Exceptional Student Education K-12 and Elementary Education K-6. Diana is a grade 1 and 2 teacher in the Autism Spectrum Disorder area of exceptionality at Tyrone Elementary School located in St. Petersburg, Florida. Mrs. Lare earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exceptional Student Education in 2007 from St. Petersburg College, Florida. Mrs. Lare is described as an individual who is positive, highly-motivated, professional, and dedicated to her profession. "Moreover, she is committed to serving the needs of children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and willing to work hard on her teaching skills."

2008 Landis M. Stetler Exceptional Student Education Leadership Scholarship

The 2008 recipient is Marilyn Jackson-Lee, who is pursuing a doctorate at the University of Central Florida. Marilyn has worked in Marion and Volusia Counties in Florida as a teacher, trainer, and as a specialist for inclusive practices and instructional strategies. She has also been involved in the Council for Exceptional Children and held leadership positions at the local and state levels.

FCEC Awards and Recognitions

Chapter Membership Awards:

FCEC provides two chapter membership awards annually. One award is given for the unit that has the largest increase in membership by percentage. One award is given for the unit that has the largest increase by actual number.

President’s Award for Units:

FCEC presents Unit President’s Awards as earned annually. The process for this award takes place during the fiscal year prior to the annual state FCEC Conference when the award is given.

Jack R. Lamb Rookie Teacher of the Year:

FCEC selects a Jack R. Lamb Rookie Teacher of the Year annually who is named at the annual state conference. Information/Nomination forms can be found on the FCEC website

Landis M. Stetler Award:

FCEC annually provides members with the nomination process for the Landis M. Stetler Award. This award is presented at the annual FCEC state conference. Award is designated for individuals who have made a significant contribution to the education of children and youth with exceptionalities.

Marjorie Crick Teacher of the Year Award:

FCEC annually selects the Marjorie Crick Teacher of the Year. This award is presented at the annual FCEC state conference. Information/Nomination forms can be found on the FCEC website.

Nancy Givens Instructional Grants:

FCEC annually awards Nancy Givens Instructional Grants. FCEC annually budgets for the Nancy Givens Instructional Grants.

Landis M. Stetler ESE Leadership Scholarship:

A scholarship program established by FL-CASE to award a financial scholarship in the name of Dr. Landis Stetler, a pioneer and great leader in exceptional student education in the state of Florida and the nation. The award will be made annually at the Florida CEC conference, and Florida CEC will maintain the fund for the scholarship. Applicant must be a Florida resident and currently enrolled in a graduate program leading to certification in ESE and/or major in exceptional student education (a focus on administration of exceptional student education will be given special consideration).

Yes I Can! Awards

 The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the leading association for special educators, works to improve the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.

 The Yes I Can! Awards honor students with disabilities who excel. These awards celebrate the achievements of children and youth with disabilities; encourage these individuals to seek their highest potential; and increase public awareness of the abilities, aspirations, and personal qualities of those with disabilities.

Nominations are made by teachers, principals, related service providers, friends, and parents. Each individual nominated for the Yes I Can! Awards will receive a Certificate of Achievement.

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and /or gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.