On May 17, two students and one educator at Independence Local Schools received the ESC of Northeast Ohio’s 45th Annual Excellence in Education Awards. The awards celebrate students with special needs, their peers, and educators who go the extra mile. This year’s event was held at Corporate College East in Warrensville Heights.
Outstanding Educator
Independence Primary School general education teacher Stephanie Roberts was honored with the Outstanding Educator Achievement Award.The awards celebrate students with special needs, their peers, and educators who go the extra mile.
Stephanie is an exemplary general education teacher at Independence Primary School. Throughout her years at Independence Primary School, she has provided quality evidenced-based instruction to all of her students, across different grade levels, with compassion and dedication. During the 2022-23 school year, Stephanie taught a specialized general education kindergarten classroom that included students with disabilities in the areas of executive functioning, behavior, communication, and social-emotional development. She has worked and continues to work collaboratively with support staff to implement strategies and instructional opportunities grounded in evidence and best practices. She implements supportive strategies within her classroom environment and teaching practices. She is an advocate for science-based instruction within grade-level and building-level teams and works tirelessly with each of her students to maximize growth, meeting each student where they are.
Outstanding Student
The Outstanding Student Achievement Award acknowledges the efforts of school-age children and youth with special needs in Northeast Ohio. This year’s recipient from Independence was Cameron Dalrymple, a student at Independence Middle School.
Cameron is a standout individual in the classroom, whose innate goodness shines through in both his academic achievements and personal interactions. While excelling academically, it is his exceptional qualities beyond grades that truly distinguish him. His positive attitude, coupled with an extraordinary work ethic and tenacity, inspires those around him to strive for excellence. Cameron's kindness and willingness to help others exemplify his outstanding character, earning him respect from peers and educators alike. Despite his successes, he remains humble and grounded, always eager to learn and grow. Cameron embodies the qualities of a true role model, leaving a lasting impression on all those fortunate enough to interact with him.
Outstanding Peer
The Outstanding Peer Achievement Award recognizes students without disabilities who have established positive relationships and who have assisted other students with disabilities, serving as exemplary role models. Julia Grzincic, a sixth-grade student at Independence Middle School, is this year’s recipient from Independence.
Julia has been an outstanding role model for creating an inclusive culture within her classroom community. When Julia was in third grade, two students with autism moved into the district. She immediately welcomed them, sat with them at lunch and recess, and did her best to connect with and get to know them. As a result of her authentic interest in inclusion, she has inspired many classmates to follow suit by getting curious about and befriending neurodivergent classmates. Now that Julia is in sixth grade, she continues to be a leader of what it means to be a caring, supportive classmate who is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment. She is a very impressive young lady who also volunteers as a peer model/helper at an ice skating program for kids with special needs. She is an inspiring young lady who has already made a great impact in her sixth-grade class community.