2003 Annie Sullivan Award Winner: Ida Morganosky

This recipient delivers excellent services to our customers: the students, families, and districts that utilize our services.

This recipient had connections with Intermediate Unit 1 from the time of her birth. She was named after a former chairperson of the Curriculum Department, when the IU was under the leadership of Mr. Harry Brownfield.

Like so many of you, she began her career with IU1 as a substitute paraprofessional. She began full-time employment in 1988. Her first assignment was working with children in learning support classes in the Laurel Highlands School District. In 1990 her assignment was changed and she began her current role of working with children with emotional disabilities. She has worked under many supervisors over the past few years.

This recipient has a sincere interest in each and every student in her charge. She provides both academic and emotional support in the classroom. She demonstrates acts of kindness, caring, and nurturing throughout the day. She is like a surrogate mother to all of the students in her classroom.

This recipient facilitates the inclusion process as she helps students in the regular education setting that may have difficulties. She links the regular education classroom to the special education classroom by conducting activities that aid in the student's transition periods.

She has worked with the group of teacher who were involved in the school improvement initiative. This group assisted in improving Reading and Math scores of both regular and special education students.

She provides tutoring services for students in her home school district. She is involved with the AmVets (American Veterans Association) in Uniontown and works with them to provide age-appropriate reinforcers for students in her classroom. She is active in Fayette County politics and appreciates candidates who are supportive of IDEA and No Child Left Behind legislation. In school, she works and coordinates the Bible Release Study Program. She is also involved and co-chairs the money committees. The Flower Fund; Teacher Appreciation Day; Retirement Dinner.

In addition to her involvement in school she is active in her church, St. John's Byzantine Church in Uniontown.

She attended grammar school in Continental #1 in the Areford School. She graduated from the South Union School District where her field of study was Commercial.

This loving and humble woman is the proud mother of two children. Her son lives in Scottsdale, Arizona and her daughter resides in Smithfield. She has been extremely supported of her daughter's educational endeavors at California University where she is pursuing her dream of becoming a special education teacher.

This recipient is a grandmother of one and quite family oriented. She is very close to her six sisters and one brother.

It is without reservation that I announce the 2003 Annie Sullivan Award winner from the support staff, Ms. Ida Morganosky.