2000 Annie Sullivan Award Winner: Mary Anne Rocco

This year's Annie Sullivan Award winner in the words of those who nominated her is "the definition of caring involvement." She knows each of her parents on a first name basis and welcomes them into her classroom. She encourages each parent to work with her and the classroom staff for the benefit of the students. She encourages parental involvement in picnics, parties and community outings. She teaches everyone that a child must feel safe, secure and accepted to reach their full potential. In her classroom there are no bad days, just bad moments. Her philosophy helps maintain a great classroom and school environment. This teacher truly loves her job, students and their families.

She has developed a "Friends Need Friends" program in her school. Peers come into her classroom to interact in play with the students. This peer companionship has carried on to outside activities including field trips, social events and other outings. She treats every opportunity as a learning experience. She lets peers and others know that her students learn differently, but feel the same. People fear what they do not know. She gives everyone the opportunity to know her, her students and staff.

Our honoree graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in Mentally/Physically Handicapped and earned a Masters Degree from California University of PA. She was employed as a special education teacher by Intermediate Unit I in 1978. She has taught at Western Center, Clark School and Trinity West. She is a member and active participant in CEC, NEA and PSEA and the Autism Society of PA. She is also an active volunteer for Special Olympics. She is also one of the founders of Challenge Baseball for Children With Disabilities.

She has supported extra curricular activities by providing leadership for the "Friends After School" program which allows for after school informal relationships between her students and friends from other regular education classes.

Our award winner resides in Charleroi with husband, Jack, and is the mother of two children, Derek and Christopher.

We present the Annie Sullivan Awardee for 2000 to Mary Ann Rocco, Autistic Support Teacher at Trinity West Elementary School.

Mary Ann please come forward to receive your award. Mary Ann's family is with us today and we ask them to please come forward and share this moment with Mary Ann.