About Us Employees
Employment Opportunities

2025 Outstanding Achievement Award Nominees/Winners

Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Achievement Educator Award

The Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Achievement Educator Award is presented to one educator or team from each of Ohio’s sixteen State Support Team regions, who have made extraordinary contributions to the education of students with disabilities.

Named in honor of the late Dr. Franklin B. Walter, Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1977 until 1991, a post held longer than any other state superintendent in Ohio’s history. With over 50 years of service as a teacher and administrator, Dr. Walter’s leadership is evident in many of Ohio’s quality educational initiatives and programs. Among these is the development of the nation’s first statewide plan for children with disabilities. This is the 32nd year that this award has been given.

Janae Tucker, Caldwell
Nancy Boley, Carroll Co Bd of DD
Catherine Carpenter, Cambridge
Alexa Davis, Indian Creek
Jason Ensigner, Edison
Melissa Hill, Bridgeport
Kate Kimble, MVESC
Brad Long, Indian Creek
Connie Parise, Indian Creek
Barb Ross, New Philadelphia City
George Shreve, Martins Ferry

R.A. Horn Outstanding Achievement Student Award

The R.A. Horn Outstanding Achievement Award is presented to one exemplary special education student from each of Ohio’s sixteen State Support Team regions. This award was established thirty-four years ago by the Ohio Department of Education.

Named in honor of the late Dr. Raymond A. Horn, Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction Emeritus, this prestigious award recognizes students’ remarkable performance. Acknowledged as a national leader in the field of special education, Dr. Horn devoted more than 60 years of service to improving the quality of life and learning for students with disabilities. Dr. Horn left behind a legacy and a challenge to all of us to ensure that every student with a disability be given the respect and the opportunities to which they are entitled.

Hunter Theil, Martins Ferry
Scarlet Lynn, Cambridge
Jermey Lovell, Bridgeport
Remington Keirns, Morgan
William Huntsman. Caldwell
Jaelynn Hall, River View

Margaret M. Burley Outstanding Parent Award

The Margaret M. Burley Outstanding Parent Award is presented annually in recognition of one Ohio parent of a child with disabilities who has demonstrated the following: Commitment to advocacy for their child and other children to receive quality educational services; Leadership in local, state, or national organizations; Initiatives to promote public awareness of issues affecting children with disabilities and their family; Creation of innovative programming to improve services for children with disabilities.

Melinda Aleksiejczyk, Indian Creek