2024-25 Inclusive Educator Awards
Congratulations to three South St. Paul Public School staff members who received an Inclusive Educator Award from our partner Intermediate School District 917. As part of Inclusive Schools Week, celebrated each year in December, ISD 917 staff members nominate individuals who go above and beyond to create an inclusive environment at one of their nine partner districts, which includes SSPPS.
Amy Peabody, Kaposia Special Education Teacher, was nominated by Amy Kaufman, ISD 917 Itinerant Teacher of the Blind/Visually Impaired at Kaposia Education Center. Amy K. says, " Amy is an incredibly kind, welcoming, and inclusive teacher. She is the case manager for a student with complex needs including several 917 itinerant service providers. She is an amazing advocate for this student and an incredible partner with 917 staff. She advocates for her student's needs especially with accessibility. She is a great communicator with itinerant staff and always puts her student's needs first. She truly believes in inclusive education."
Drew Johnson, Lincoln Center 4th Grader Teacher, was nominated by David Jensen, an American Sign Language Interpreter serving Lincoln Center's ISD 917 Deaf/Hard of Hearing Resource Program. David says, "Mr. Johnson has proven to be an exquisite partner and collaborator when it comes to making his classroom accessible for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students that he teaches. He is always ready and willing to receive and implement feedback for his students and for other educators in his classroom. He always makes a point to include the DHH students when they are present in his room. Mr. Johnson is a unique kind of teacher who understands the importance of collaboration and communication to make sure his classroom and his teaching content is accessible. There are few teachers like him who simply 'get it'! Mr. Johnson consistently communicates with the ASL Interpreter and DHH Teacher to make sure that he is helping to meet the educational needs of his DHH students. Almost daily he makes a point to stop and check in with the DHH staff."
Kristen Spanjers, Lincoln Center Kindergarten Teacher, was nominated by Sarah Ideen, Lead Teacher/Teacher of Deaf/Hard of Hearing serving Lincoln Center's ISD 917 Deaf/Hard of Hearing Resource Program. Sarah says, "Kristen is new to working with our DHH Resource Program, and has been so accommodating not just for our students, but also so welcoming to our staff. She has ensured that our students know they are 'ours' - that they have a place to belong both in her room and in my DHH resource room. Her flexibility with managing schedules and clear communication has made the transition to her classroom easy and effortless. She makes an effort to include our support staff in her classroom routines and allows them to feel seen and welcome. She has been so helpful in sharing academic materials and information with our interpreter so that the interpreter can prepare for lessons and special events. Kristen's kindness, empathy, support, and inclusivity make her a joy to work with!"
- Kaposia
- Lincoln