2002 Annie Sullivan Award Winner: Terri Burish
The recipient of this year's Annie Sullivan Award for Professional Staff members is truly a heroine. Leaping tall buildings in a single bound is nothing compared to the leaps in progress that her students have made under her tutelage. Stronger than a locomotive is nothing compared to the strength in character she displays in dealing with her students, their parents and her fellow workers. Faster than a speeding bullet is nothing compared to her speed in accomplishing her educational mission. This candidate has followed in the finest tradition of Anne Sullivan. Just as Helen Keller might have been described as a child only a mother could love; spoiled, indulged, unable or unwilling to learn. Anne Sullivan was able to see beyond the surface traits and unlock the potential within her student. Their story became one of educational history memorials.
This year's nominee follows that same fine tradition. She is described by her coworkers as caring, compassionate and reassuring in her role as a teacher and as a counselor. She gives guidance in leading by example and by providing direction for her students. Above all, she is constantly giving praise and encouragement to her students. She has a caring personality and always provides a smile and a pat on the back. She works tirelessly to provide an outstanding learning environment for her students. She always strives to bring out the best in them and she gives the care and understanding that each student needs. She makes every student feel special. This person is very involved and interactive with her students, whether in the class or in the community. She dedicates herself to them by working day and night to provide for their academic needs, work orientated skills, vocational skills and social needs. Her program reflects the ideal transitional setting.
This person has worked with the neediest of students in a center-based program and currently is assigned to a classroom in a regular school setting. She transferred to her current assignment a couple of years ago and from the first day in her new position she was truly an asset to Intermediate Unit 1. She is totally dedicated to her students. She encourages them to know how important they are in the community. She treats them with respect and dignity. Student attendance in her program has greatly increased. She has developed a classroom that is warm and caring yet gets the academic and prevocational assignments completed. She always puts the best interest of the student first.
This person is humble and does not seek the spotlight for herself but for her students. When one visits her program, she will talk endlessly about her students' accomplishments but not her own. She is a team player and is extremely gracious about recognizing the help of her coworkers. She works closely with the contacts at job sites where her students work. She participates and works daily in the community with her program. Her class participates weekly in a variety of community functions.
She has worked with the S.T.A.R.S. program that provided peer contact between regular high school students and her students. She also participated in the Boy Scout program, Learning for Life. This program allowed her students to experience many activities that help prepare them for situations in their future.
Our award recipient resides in Uniontown with her family who are with her this morning. I am pleased to present this year's Professional Staff member Annie Sullivan Award to Terri Burish.
