In February, 1999 EDCO's Executive Director, Thomas A. Scott announced that we were accepting nominations for the third year of the EDCO Outstanding Achievement Awards and the second year of the John H. Green Leadership Award.

It gives me great pleasure to announce the eight recipients of EDCO's 1999 Outstanding Achievement Awards and to provide some brief excerpts from the nomination forms:

"It's difficult if not impossible to nominate one member of the team without the other." "With over a hundred young people at Massachusetts Hospital School needing assistance to enable them to achieve the smallest tasks, the Adaptive Design Team is our miracle worker." "They create and develop one of-a-kind apparatus that is unthinkable to most of us." "Witnessing the smiles that grace the faces of so many children by providing the opportunity for them to say, 1 can, is beyond magnificent." "They continue to enrich our students' lives, making them independent in ways that would be impossible without their skills. "This enthusiasm and joy for their work is so positive an influence that it allows students to seek out the best for themselves." "So humble are each of these fine people, as they go about their daily work that they believe it is just what they do. Remarkable contributions are everyday occurrences in the workshop of Paul Craig, Jason Douglas and Rosemarie Baker."

In 1985, "Gail Elson began what has been a terrific fourteen-year relationship with the EDCO Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing." In addition to her primary role as speech and language therapist, Gail has "remained flexible and filled in wherever and whenever she has seen a need". Gail "has taken on a number of roles to enhance the visibility and lines of communication" between the EDCO Program and the Newton Public Schools. She volunteered to be the secretary for the EDCO Parent Teacher Group; was the first EDCO staff member to be trained as a mediator; helped to implement and maintain the school's recycling program; became the editor of the EDCO Tiger Newsletter; opened her home and provided a hot meal or a place to "hang out" for staff or students involved in extra-curricular activities; helped in the planning and preparations for Deaf Culture Week and the statewide Field Day for deaf youngsters; and "took on the job of sharing coaching responsibilities for the EDCO Academic Bowl Team---doing so at the request of the student team members". "It is not often that we are able to say that someone great has walked this way. Clearly, that is the case with Gail Elson and her work in the EDCO Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing."

"Donna does her job well. What makes Donna deserving of the Outstanding Achievement Award is what she does beyond her outlined job requirements." "Just as an excellent teacher facilitates a child's learning, Donna facilitates her staff's professional development by providing a structured yet nurturing work environment." She sets very high yet realistic standards and then "provides well-guided support to help her staff achieve these standards". "She uses her sense of purpose to help steer the entire organization in the right direction." "She helps to keep the focus on the true mission of EDCO/ESIS which is to provide high quality educational services to all students enrolled in our programs." "In addition to her district work, Donna serves on many ESIS statewide committees and EDCO committees as well." "She demonstrates sustained excellence in her daily job performance and readily accepts additional challenges and responsibilities." "She respects her staff and it shows." "She has led by example, as she willingly shares with her staff her own changing vision of special education."

"Sue quietly goes about her daily job responsibilities, diligently carrying out her work with great care and compassion for our students at the Massachusetts Hospital School." "She is highly flexible and will amend her tight schedule at any time to maximize her availability to students ...". "Sue has consistently upgraded her professional skills by attending classes and workshops. Sue learns new skills quickly and is able to apply them globally. Sue is always friendly, inquisitive, eager to learn, helpful and pitches in whenever necessary. Sue has a special ability to convince students that physical therapy can be a positive experience." "Her patience and perseverance are truly outstanding." When the physical therapist was on maternity leave, "Sue oriented the temporary physical therapist so that the department continued to run smoothly". "All staff who work with her are proud of her dedication." "Sue is a superior individual and is deserving of the Outstanding Achievement Award."

"Nettie's addition to the staff brought some long sought after sanity, although I am certain that I even saw Nettie's head shaking in disbelief on more than one occasion." "Nettie recommended systems to be put into place to streamline operations" and justified the database with the files. Although time consuming, the completion of this task left the program with an up-to-date, accurate database for the very first time." "This task wasn't something that was asked of her, it's just something that needed doing, and she did it on her own and in her spare time." "Nettie continued to grow in her ability not only in handling secretarial duties and other responsibilities of the program, but in understanding the total program..." Eventually, Nettie was hired as a Case Manager and was assigned to the highest volume caseload in the state." Her contribution "has been sustained; always looking for a better way to meet program needs, support volunteers, and service the students; always professional, always creative, always a smile, and a marvelous, dry sense of humor." "Nettie's kind, caring, good natured, and supportive manner has earned her the respect of all who have had the pleasure of working with her."

It also gives me great pleasure to announce the 1999 recipients of the John H. Green Leadership Award and to provide some excerpts from the nomination forms:

Richard "has exercised leadership in every aspect of his position. Richard communicates his vision and resolve to each and every one of his staff and, to a large extent, to the DYS managers and administrators he comes in contact with." "Richard leads by action." "His energy and enthusiasm for the work of education is infectious." "Richard actively engages staff, DYS managers and other site personnel when difficulties arise to develop solutions that are acceptable by all." "Richard has a great rapport with all of the people he meets. If there is a play or science fair at one of the programs he supervises, Richard is always one of the first people there and one of the last to leave." "Richard Cushing dedicates his life within and without his career at EDCO to improving the lot of troubled and disadvantaged youth and children. His work at EDCO has had an enormous positive impact on the education of DYS youth, on the working conditions and effectiveness of EDCO's DYS staff and on the reputation of EDCO as the provider of quality education services to the Department of Youth Services." "Richard's commitment to youth does not stop at the end of the work day nor at the end of the work week. He dedicates his life to working with kids."

Sandra is "an extremely dedicated worker. She is always willing to do whatever is necessary to get the job done." "Her enthusiasm and commitment to the students, teachers and the district are commendable." "Sandra displays her support and recognition of teacher and student efforts by her attendance at special activities, shows, awards, graduation ceremonies throughout the district." "Sandra is proficient at maximizing teachers' strengths and interests with curriculum support." "She provides students with exciting experiences that build self-confidence and pride. She demonstrates respect for students and their abilities." "She fosters an atmosphere of cooperation and collaboration...." "Her commitment to educational services and the effort she exhibits stands out beyond all others. "Sandra Shoro emulates all of the attributes outlined [for the John H. Green Leadership Award] on a consistent basis. "She takes on each project as her own responsibility for the whole district. Her exemplary efforts in the recertification process clearly reflects her leadership qualities." "All of the sustained accomplishments in combination with her new initiatives aids in affecting positive changes for everyone in the district." "Sandra Shoro truly displays all the qualities of a leader on a daily basis."

In announcing these award recipients, I wish to extend special thanks to those who took the time to nominate their valued colleagues and to submit such thoughtful background information. Thanks also to members of the Awards Program Steering Committee (Edward Mulligan, Joanne Myers, Jerome Ryan, and Nancy Slater) and the members of the Awards Selection Committee (Tina Babalas, Lynn Ducharme, Robin Grant, Mildred Kassap, Donna Prescott, and Joann Rose) for their efforts in reviewing nominations and undertaking the very difficult task of selecting award recipients from among the many deserving nominations received.

Congratulations to this year's recipients. Award recipients and their nominators will be honored at a luncheon to be held at the Wellesley College Club on June 8, 1999.

I join you in looking forward to next year's Awards Program and to the nomination and selection of fiscal year 2000 recipients.