2007 Annie Sullivan Award Winner: Marlene Kubina
Intermediate Unit 1 hired this recipient as a speech clinician for the 1975-76 school year. She served as a speech/language pathologist for students with moderate to severe disabilities and communication needs. This recipient always said that her students taught her more than she taught them. She is and has always been a dedicated advocate for the students with disabilities and always works to ensure that her students' communication needs are met. She holds high expectations for her students - as well as her co-workers - and works tirelessly to see that all students are afforded the tools they need to reach their maximum potential. She is willing and ready to offer assistance and direction to teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, parents, students, LATCs, LEAs and any other individual or member of the staff.
This recipient treats everyone with dignity and respect. Through her many years of working with students with disabilities in school and in the community, she has given so much, but in her words "has received so much more".
This recipient graduated from Brownsville Area High School in 1971 and received her Bachelors degree in Speech Correction from California University in 1974. She completed her Masters degree in 1979. She was assigned as the Assistive Technology Coordinator in the early 1990's. Her initiative area has remained the same even though she and her fellow staff members have been called by many names: the Statewide Support Initiative (SSI) staff, Consultants for Education and Instruction (CEI), Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) staff and the current classification as Training and Consultation (TaC) staff. Among the numerous roles and responsibilities this recipient undertakes on a daily basis are evaluating the communication needs of students with disabilities, recommending appropriate assistive technology and augmentative communication devices and software, facilitating the purchase of necessary technology, and providing workshops, trainings and consultations in the areas of assistive technology and autism - two of her life's passions. This recipient has spent countless hours writing state grants to obtain AT devices for students.
Intermediate Unit 1 has always been one of the main priorities in this recipient's life. She is dedicated and loyal to the organization, her supervisors, past and present, and her co-workers. Early in her career as a Speech Clinician, she helped other IU staff organize a Charter Chapter of PTA - called Clark School-SEPTA.
This recipient is well known and highly regarded across the state as an expert in the field of assistive technology and autism. She has presented at state conferences for professionals and has volunteered at summer conferences for parents, educators and students. This recipient has mentored California University students in Special Education regarding Assistive Technology and Autism.
She has volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader for ten years. During these years, she educated her scouts about students with disabilities and assistive technology - all the while, encouraging their acceptance as peers.
In addition to the time devoted to her students, she has participated in the following organizations: PSEA/NEA, IUEA, Delta Kappa Gamma (Educational Sorority), Phi Beta Kappa, Girl Scouts, Fayette Friends of Animals (a No Kill animal shelter) and the Brownsville Historical Society. As part of the Historical Society she volunteers at the Nemacolin Castle where she works with students in various ways. For the past three years she has decorated one room in the castle for Christmas.
This recipient also loves animals and gives them a second chance in life. She participates in finding homes for unwanted pets, conducts fundraisers and volunteers at the shelter. She not only rescues the animals but she often takes some of them home. She encourages others to Adopt A Pet and to spay and neuter their pets.
This recipient has volunteered for eight years as a back stage Mom at dance recitals for the Attitude In Motion Organization and also conducted numerous fundraisers for the school (just ask her coworkers how many girl scout cookies and Sarris candy bars they have consumed - thanks to this recipient!).
This recipient loves her family and describes her husband is an angel. Her daughter, Francine, is the highlight of her life. She speaks highly of her Mom and sisters, Mary Ann and Joan, who have helped her in many ways.
She attends the First Presbyterian Church of Fayette City, where she has been an Elder for the past five years, is on the Worship Committee, and helps with Angel Food Ministries.
Without further ado, it is with great pleasure that I announce the 2007 Annie Sullivan Award winner from the professional staff, Mrs. Marlene Kubina.
