The Mary P. Van Derzee Special Educator of the Year award is given annually to an East Greenbush Central School District employee who goes above and beyond for students with special needs. Due to extraordinary circumstances this past school year, this prestigious award was presented to the entire Special Education Department in the East Greenbush Central School District at Wednesday evening’s Board of Education meeting.
The award was presented to all of the special education teachers, school psychologists, social workers, speech therapists, occupational therapists and physical therapists who supported the district’s special education students and their families during the school closing last spring.
“The reason that we chose the entire Special Education Department is because of their extra efforts, their dedication to our students who are receiving special education services, especially during the school closure between March and June. And it would just be impossible to pick one because they are all incredible,” said Katherine Maciol, a co-chair of the East Greenbush Special Needs Parent Group which sponsors the award.
“Our special education teachers and related service providers went above and beyond to continue to connect and support students and families in ways that we had never imagined possible,” said co-chair Michelle McDonald.
Congratulations to the entire Special Education Department!
- Bell Top Special Education Teachers
- Stephanie Ferriero
- John Rivera
- Barbara Schielke
- Donald P. Sutherland Special Education Teachers
- Janet Guido
- Alycia Applebaum
- Ashley McCoy
- Jenna Horton
- Genet Special Education Teachers
- Joan Gleason
- Kim McKeown
- Beth Swald-Nagashima
- Scott LaGoy
- Katie Carlin
- Elizabeth Corey
- Green Meadow Special Education Teachers
- Renee Fields
- Sandra Bouyea
- Vinnie Farry
- Colleen Reinstein
- Dianna Koch
- Julie Caporta
- Laura Cornell
- Red Mill Special Education Teachers
- Ashley Gunther
- Amy Schermerhorn
- Jennifer Valcik
- Kara Horton
- Paula Sobol
- Goff Special Education Teachers
- Megan Lopez
- Tammy Kirwin
- Lalena DeMarco
- Kristin Zilgme
- Karen Anderson-Green
- Nancy Kroll
- Nancy Garcia
- Jen Vendlands
- Mike McNamara
- Paul Hoff
- Lauren Crispino
- Scott LaMora
- Columbia Special Education Teachers
- Claire Chouinard
- Darleen Morgan
- Laura O’Brien
- Jim Obermayer
- Kyle Randall
- Kay Peffers
- Melinda Tracy
- Sarah Noel
- Tara Maney
- Amy Cirincione
- Julie Adadjo
- Lisa Johnas
- Butch Hartnagle
- Mary Lally
- Craig Cavotta
- Rachel Toolan
- Woodland Hills and Holy Spirit Special Education Teacher
- Tami Meek
- School Psychologists
- Maureen Singer
- Susan Rys
- Debbie Gonyea
- Jamie Duesler
- Bonnie Hagglove
- Rocco Persico
- Bennett Kelvin
- Jennifer Sorensen-Chase
- Social Workers
- Jamie Gibbs
- Audra Di Bacco
- Lois Rondeau
- Tiffany Rinehimer
- Karen Sheridan
- James Eggleston
- Laurie Scaringe
- Maria Fontaine
- Tricia Petromelis
- Speech/Language Therapists
- Denise Boniface
- Margaret LaHera
- Kate Morrow
- Jessica Tice
- Carrie Leyhane
- April Dolce
- Tracey Santore-Goodman
- Audrey June
- Leanne Dietrich
- Allie Harling
- Occupational Therapists
- Gwen Rudnick
- Peggy Leger
- Nikki Barmen
- Denise Lyle
- Physical Therapists
- Kathryn Biel
- Jean Patrick
Mary P. Van Derzee Special Educator of the Year Recipients
- Special Education Department – 2019-20
- Helen Squillace – 2018-19
- Jean Patrick – 2017-18
- Megan Lopez – 2016-17
- Cheri Walsh and Jacqui Perry – 2015-16
- Paula Sobol – 2014-15
- Audra DiBacco – 2013-14
- Karen Anderson-Green – 2012-13
- Lalena DeMarco – 2011-12
- Vincenzina Farry – 2010-11
- Jennifer Cavotta-Riley – 2010-11
- John Rivera – 2009-10
- Barbara Neiman – 2008-09
- Tammy Kirwin – 2007-08
- Kathy Rutherford – 2006-07
- Joanne Smith – 2005-06
- Laurie Mendrysa – 2004-05
- James McHugh – 2003-04
- Deborah Rubenstein – 2002-03