P’ville SEPTA Honors Those Who Work With Special Needs Kids
Local teachers, community members and organizations were recognized Monday in Pleasantville for volunteer work with special needs students.
During an annual awards ceremony at Lucy’s Lounge, Pleasantville’s Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) granted honors to nine people in four different categories.
Lauren Peterson, a teaching assistant in Pleasantville for the past eight years, was named SEPTA Educational Partner of the Year.
Susi Wilson, a Pleasantville special education teacher who has known Peterson for about 14 years, said she has never encountered anyone who possesses Peterson’s kindness and innate ability to teach by building on the strengths of her students. Wilson said every classroom in America would be better if it had a version of Peterson.
“Each day I am in awe of her passion, dedication and ability to reach and connect with each individual student that she works with,” Wilson said.
Becoming emotional when she accepted her award, Peterson said she learned a lot by working with Wilson. She mentioned how she derived her work ethic from her parents. Her mother was a special education teacher while raising four children and battling Multiple Sclerosis. Her father worked three different jobs.
Peterson said the best teachers are the students who she feels “blessed” to interact with on a daily basis.
Anna Fishman, who accepted the Community Partner of the Year award on behalf of Pace University, said the students have been able to teach her valuable lessons. The Pace University School of Education was honored for its partnership with the district to create and run the Pace Lab School.
“I have learned how much pleasure these wonderful young adults can bring to others if given the chance,” Fishman said.
Developed two years ago, the program allows special education students between the ages of 18 and 21 to continue their education while having a college campus experience. The program also offers students the chance for internships on the Pace campus where they can develop important job and social skills.
Also honored was John Fearon, who has devoted his Sunday mornings for the past few years to teaching in the VIP soccer program for special needs students.
Although Fearon said he didn’t deserve his Parent Partner of the Year award because all he has to do is show up and have fun, Colleen Griffin-Wagner, who founded and runs the program, disagreed. She praised Fearon, who approached her on a whim wanting to assist with the program. He always has a smile, a positive attitude and something nice to say, Griffin-Wagner said.
“He has put such a burst of energy into our high school kids, I can’t thank him enough,” she said. “He is a treasure to all of us and I am so privileged to call him a friend.”
Adult volunteers weren’t the only ones recognized. Six Pleasantville High School students received special community service recognition for their work with special needs students.
One student singled out was junior Julia Mulry, who developed the Peer 2 Peer program at the school. Peer 2 Peer aims to include special needs students in monthly social activities such as bake sales and crafting, each of which is planned by Mulry.
Over the past year, the program has grown and has attracted students in all grades and of all abilities.
“It really has been an amazing experience for all of us,” Wilson said of program.
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