2004 Annie Sullivan Award Winner: Sundra Mt. Joy

The recipient of the 2004 Annie Sullivan award for support staff first began employment with Intermediate Unit I as a substitute in 1995. This individual became a full time employee in January 1996. Her first full time assignment was in an autistic support classroom at Trinity East Elementary. While assigned to this program she was very active in the "Friends Helping Friends" program, which involved students in regular education participating in activities with students in the autistic program. Her current assignment location should bring back memories, as it is where she attended grammar school.

In her current position she often chooses to relinquish her duty free lunch to work with other students in the building who are not assigned to her classroom. She has assisted other students and teachers in the building by developing picture schedules using Boardmaker, and has always been available to offer her expertise with computers to anyone who needs assistance. This past year she assisted with a training involving a computer software program called STAGES, which she also helped to implement in her classroom. Although she tries to remain anonymous, everyone knows that this recipient frequently purchased items for the students using her own funds. She does however have one rule that she follows: never spend more money on the children than you earn.

This recipient also helps others into the community. She volunteers at the United Cerebral Palsy center in Waynesburg and Washington. She assists parents of children with severe disabilities take their children into the community for activities such as swimming. She provides respite care two days a week for a family that has children with severe disabilities. She works as a volunteer in the soup kitchen at St. Ann's Church in Waynesburg, and has assisted with Special Olympics.

She is married and she and her husband are the proud parents of two children. Her son is involved with Irish dancing and has won several awards. She has arranged for him to perform for the students at East Franklin. This past spring her daughter graduated from college, got married and relocated to California.

Without further ado, it is with great pleasure that I announce the 2004 Annie Sullivan Award winner from the support staff, Mrs. Sundra Mt. Joy.