2008 Annie Sullivan Award Winner: Dennis Taylor

This Annie Sullivan Award nominee is a kind and generous individual and is truly a team player, always willing to assist other in times of need. This nominee's flexible personality makes working with him an extremely pleasant experience. One can always count on his dry and unique sense of humor to provide comic relief during difficult and stressful events. This nominee is a good sport, gets along well with coworkers, and is well liked by all. When looking for a creative solution to a problem, this nominee can always be counted on for excellent advice.

This nominee sometimes grumbles about the current position held but is so dedicated to doing the right thing for students with disabilities that all aspects of the job are performed well above expectations. This nominee is the "go to" person for co-workers and districts alike. He understands students with disabilities and their needs and provides excellent and creative advice to others. His efficient work habits and a tendency to be a perfectionist set the bar high for everyone. The bottom line is always the student. Visiting the students, spending time in the classroom and being involved in the learning environment brings the greatest pleasure to this nominee. He looks forward to any opportunity to spend time with the students.

Many co-workers describe this person as an outstanding and remarkable teacher and a person who is always dressed impeccably.

This nominee works out, eats healthy, and has the energy of an 18 year old. He is an excellent presenter and has a way of speaking that commands respect and admiration. In addition, he is quite musically talented. This nominee sings, dances, and plays the piano, and often donates time and service in the community. This nominee is involved throughout the year with the Washington Community Theater, which is a charitable organization. During the summer, he donates time and expertise to put on a major musical production at Washington Park.

This nominee is active in his church and community and assists in helping others accept students with disabilities.

This nominee graduated from Bethlehem-Center High School in 1970. He obtained both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from California University. He earned his Supervisor of Special Education certificate from the University of Pittsburgh in 1991. This nominee has been in education for the past 34 years. He began his career with Intermediate Unit 1 as a hearing impaired teacher. He then became a special education program supervisor in January 1996. As a Program Supervisor, this nominee has served as the Local Educational Agency Representative for several school districts. He currently services all 25 school districts in the Intermediate Unit 1 geographic area. When talking with his staff, it is evident that they all highly respect him and appreciate his remarkable teaching and supervising ability.

This nominee has done many innovative and great things for the speech, hearing, vision, assistive technology, and ACCESS programs. He is always looking for ways to improve the services and programs offered by the IU to our clients. He is involved in the Lucia Scarvel and Greater Canonsburg Lion's Club memorial scholarship programs, recommending and assisting in choosing potential recipients.

Since this nominee oversees the selection of the Annie Sullivan Award winners, it took a lot of finagling to keep him from knowing he was nominated and then chosen as the winner. I am proud and honored to announce this year's Annie Sullivan Award winner from the professional staff who truly exemplifies the Annie Sullivan quote "Alone We Can Do So Little, Together We Can Do Such Much": Mr. Dennis Taylor.