Michigan Division for Early Childhood (MiDEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children is excited to announce the 2023 Call for Nominations for the Jane Scandary Award for Excellence in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education. Individuals or organizations may make nominations. Consider who you know that you feel is deserving of recognition for his or her contributions and accomplishments. Now is the time to nominate that person for this prestigious award!
The nominee selected this year for the Jane Scandary Award will be honored during our annual MiDEC Conference to be held at Central Michigan University on May 5, 2023.
To make a nomination, please submit the following materials to Awards.MiDEC@gmail.com by February 28, 2023:
- Jane Scandary Award Nomination Form, including written narrative describing the individual’s significant professional contributions/accomplishments
- Nominee’s Resume, Vitae, or Biographical Statement
- Any supportive documents, such as newsletter articles featuring the nominee’s contributions/accomplishments
- Two to three letters of recommendation (may be from parents, professionals or others familiar with the nominee)
The Jane Scandary Award for Excellence in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education is an annual award honoring an outstanding Michigan professional for contributions to the field of Early Intervention or Early Childhood Special Education or an individual who has made major and significant contributions to young children with special needs and their families in the State of Michigan.
Individuals or organizations may make nominations.
Nominees must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Current or past work in the field of Early Intervention or Early Childhood Special Education as a teacher, service provider, administrator, state department professional, or higher education professional
- History of advocacy on behalf of young children with special needs and their families
- Engagement in activities consistent with MiDEC’s mission
*Current MiDEC Board members are not eligible for nomination
Award benefits:
- Recognition and presentation of award during the MiDEC Annual Conference
- Cash award
- Complimentary registration for the MiDEC Conference the year of the award
- Feature on MiDEC website
- Press release to local newspaper
Dawn is the Early On Coordinator for Oakland Schools. She has been in this position since May 2005. She has been working with children and families for over 25 years. She earned her BA in Child Development from Central Michigan University, her MSW from Wayne State University, and her PhD in Human Ecology from Michigan State University.
Dawn has brought about significant changes in Early On systems operations in all 28 local school districts within Oakland Schools and has partnered with local community service agencies to coordinate Early Intervention systems for children ages birth to 3 and their families. She sets a high standard not only for compliance, but for best practices and aspires to bring about change in Michigan’s model for Part C and MMSE to improve eligibility practices and early intervention services to young children and their families. In addition, these improvements allow early intervention service providers to deliver even more effective services to families that utilize evidence-based practices in service delivery, while being sensitive to the needs of families.
Dawn maintains regular communication with Early On service providers and ensures new staff are given personalized training that allows them to perform their jobs at an optimal level. She coordinates and facilitates community of practice meetings for early intervention service providers several times a year. She also leads Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) meetings each year to provide opportunities for local community service providers to collaborate and educate each other on services they provide to families. Several years ago, Dawn started a local Early On Conference to meet the professional development needs of her constituents in Oakland County that has been well-received.
At a state-wide level, Dawn participates in several state-wide teams that seek to improve services and programs for young children with and without developmental delays. She has successfully partnered with other advocates to obtain line-item funding in the State Budget for Birth to Three services for the first time in state history. She continues to advocate for increases in that funding and to come up with innovative and effective ways to utilize funding resources that will be the most benefit to staff, families, and children. She is also part of a team that has and is producing special education eligibility guidance specific to the 0-3 population. Dawn continually works on behalf of infants and toddlers with developmental delays and their families, as well as a wide range of district and community service providers, to provide innovative and necessary services that will benefit long-term outcomes for all involved. Dawn is an active member of the Early On Michigan Foundation - Board of Directors and serves as the Early Childhood Administrator’s Network (ECAN) – Standing Committee Chair.
Presentation of the Jane Scandary Award to Dr. Dawn Koger can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/FN1GkiwyrME
Elizabeth (Beth) Odykirk is a Speech and Language Pathologist for the Gratiot-Isabella Regional Educational Service District. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications Disorders and Education Teaching Certification from Marywood College, Scranton, PA followed by a Master of Science degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Northeastern University, Boston-Bouve College of Human Development Professions, Boston, MA. She also earned an Early Childhood Endorsement from Central Michigan University.
Over the years, Beth has worked with children from birth through 2nd grade in a variety of roles and has supervised many student teachers. She has also supported many interns and provided opportunities for students to observe to see if this is the profession for them. Additionally, Beth has volunteered with Special Olympics.
Those who nominated Beth for the Jane Scandary Award shared enthusiastically about her work with children and families and the undeniable difference she makes in the lives of others. Following are a few quotes from their letters of recommendation:
“She has worked both in the classroom as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher and through Early On as an in-home Early Childhood Special Education Teacher. The lives she has touched are countless. She is a strong advocate for the children and families that she works with each day.”
“Beth has an amazing reputation among the early childhood special education community. Families, professionals, and children alike all value her incredibly respectful and supportive nature, her commitment to fully supporting inclusion and unconditional dedication to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their family units. Beth is a remarkable advocate and an excellent team member as she strives to make an impact on the lives of others on a regular basis. Beth’s optimistic and confident attitude is a wonderful trait!”
“Beth now serves students from birth through three in their home environment, which gives her an even greater opportunity to connect and coach families. Beth has an amazing knowledge of early childhood development, and one of her greatest strengths is conveying that information in a parent-friendly manner. She is a devoted advocate for her families – she can often be found arranging transportation or connecting families to community resources for food and housing. In her new role, she runs a weekly community playgroup for students of all abilities, and this year an extra session had to be added because of the popularity of the group! I have no doubt those families choose to attend week after week because of Beth’s energy and commitment to their children.”
“As Beth transitioned from the classroom, she has excelled in her new role as the Isabella County Early Childhood Special Education Non-Classroom Teacher. Beth now serves students from birth through three in their home environment, which gives her an even greater opportunity to connect and coach families. Beth has an amazing knowledge of early childhood development, and one of her greatest strengths is conveying that information in a parent-friendly manner. She is a devoted advocate for her families – she can often be found arranging transportation or connecting families to community resources for food and housing. In her new role, she runs a weekly community playgroup for students of all abilities, and this year an extra session had to be added because of the popularity of the group! I have no doubt those families choose to attend week after week because of Beth’s energy and commitment to their children.”
“Beth’s attention to detail, insights, and willingness to step above and beyond to utilize evidence-based practices in a family friendly way was appreciated by all involved. Beth took on a leadership role as she shared techniques and mentored other professionals for the optimal approach that would ultimately assist families and children.”
“As a student teacher, I was blown away by all of the things Beth did outside of work hours to help the families of her students. She worked to make sure each and every family had meals in their home, clothes on their back and a roof over their head. She connected families with resources to get these things if they needed them. Beth had a way of connecting with each and every student that entered her room. Her positive outlook on life, the love and dedication she put into making sure each and every student had their needs met both in school and at home made her my idol. She was the teacher I wanted to be.”
“Each and every time a student of Beth’s has transitioned into my classroom, the parents rave about how incredible she is. They talk about the sincere connections that she makes with them and their children. They dote on her ability to reach their child no matter their struggles. They talk about all of the resources that Beth brought into their home. And they struggle to lose her as their teacher. Parents have shared that Beth has not only helped them love their child for all that they are, but she has helped them become whole as a family.”
“Beth constantly went above and beyond to make families feel comfortable and safe. Her classroom was always a fun, engaging, warm, and welcoming environment and she ensured that all who worked in the classroom maintained a similar attitude. As a classroom teacher, Beth was remarkably innovative. Her goal was always to incorporate all aspects of development into the classroom in multiple ways – through movement, literacy, music, and play. She was in constant collaboration with the professionals that supported her classroom to ensure the environment and activities were appropriate yet challenging. Not only did she work tirelessly inside the classroom, but she also put in countless hours before and after school connecting with student’s families. Her students made enormous gains because of the time, commitment, and personal relationships built within the four walls of her classroom.”
“Beth has inspired countless teachers, ancillary staff, and paraprofessionals in her career. When asked to describe Beth, each person could quickly come up with a list of positive attributes and heartwarming stories about how she has touched their lives. Passionate, devoted, inspirational, genuine, energetic, inclusive – these are just a few of the many words used to describe an amazing colleague. When I think of the many professionals I’ve worked with in my career, truly no one stands out as much as Beth when it comes to their commitment to the students and families we serve. I cannot think of someone who is more deserving than Beth Odykirk to receive this award.”
The Michigan Division for Early Childhood is pleased to present the 2019 Jane Scandary Award to Cheryl Granzo. Cheryl has demonstrated leadership for early intervention and early childhood special education at the state and county levels for nearly 30 years. A speech and language pathologist, Cheryl has worked in early intervention since the inception of the federal early intervention law, now authorized under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Cheryl is a leader at Ionia Intermediate School District (ISD) having served as the Supervisor for Early On® and Director of Early Childhood Programs. Cheryl is driven to create and support a system to provide the children and families within her community outstanding early intervention services. Her entire career has focused on supporting our most vulnerable children and their families, to ensure that all children have the opportunity to reach their developmental potential. She has been an ambassador of implementing evidence-based practices and creating an early intervention system that maintains the child and family at the center.
Cheryl is also passionate about the welfare of all young children across our state. She has been an integral member of numerous state-level initiatives to address systems issues so that any infant and toddler with a disability in the state of Michigan has access to high quality early intervention services. Her knowledge and experience in developing and implementing best practices have helped the entire field move forward within Michigan.
Colleagues refer to Cheryl as a mentor, friend and a highly valued resource. She advocates for providing nationally recommended, research-based practices such as the primary service provider model, parent coaching, functional outcomes, and embedded learning opportunities. Cheryl has conducted numerous professional learning experiences for staff across the state to enhance their own early intervention practices.
Cheryl has served in a variety of capacities in statewide organizations. Currently, Cheryl provides leadership for the ISD Early Childhood community as the Chair of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators’ Early Childhood Administrators Network (ECAN). Cheryl also represents providers on the Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council (MICC), a governor-appointed position, and is always advocating for systems and services that best support infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.
Quotes in support of Cheryl’s nomination for the Jane Scandary Award:
“Cheryl is … a first call when we have questions about promoting best practices for families or for promoting the development of our own team members.”
“Our early intervention system – and the lives of children and families - would look quite different without her voice and vision.”
“Cheryl is an amazing leader, passionate early interventionist, and is deserving of the Jane Scandary award!
Early On Coordinator, Kent County
Established 1990 – Jane Scandary
1991 – Gerald Freeman
1992 – Jan Wilson
1993 – Jacque Thompson
1994 – James Willis
1996 – Paula Renke
1997 – Sandra Ford
1998 – Cherrill Flynn
1999 – Sister Barbara Cline
Michigan early childhood special education pioneer, Jane Scandary, passed away on February 9, 2017. To honor her legacy, her family has asked that memorial contributions to go toward continuing the annual presentation of the Jane Scandary Award for excellence in the field of early intervention/early childhood special education, presented by the Michigan Division for Early Childhood.
Checks for contributions for the Jane Scandary Award should be written out to the Michigan Division for Early Childhood, with "Jane Scandary Award" in the memo, and sent to:
Michigan Division for Early Childhood
Attn: Jane Scandary Award
240 S. Bridge Street, Suite 250
DeWitt, MI 48820
Emma Jane Scandary, Ph.D., commonly known as Jane, was a leader in the field of Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education. In 1945, Jane began her career as a Speech and Language Therapist and Teacher of the Deaf, working in numerous school districts throughout Michigan over the years. Jane was a lifelong learner and completed an M.Ed. (Wayne State), Ed. Specialist (MSU), and a Ph.D. (MSU) by 1968. She continued her career at Ingham ISD as a Teacher Consultant and later as Coordinator and Supervisor. Her professional career culminated as a State Hearing Officer and Consultant at the Michigan Department of Education.
Jane supported the professional development of others in the field through presentations at educational conferences, forums, and symposiums throughout the United States and in multiple international locations. She published articles related to exceptional children and teaching in several professional journals and also served as field editor for the Council for Exceptional Children. Jane also served as an adjunct professor at Michigan State University.
Awards, tributes, and recognition for Jane’s expertise and dedication to special education followed her. In 1983-84, Jane was the recipient of the Council for Exceptional Children "Exceptional Service Award”. She was also recognized by both MSU and Head Start for her work with their respective programs for children with special learning needs. She received a Michigan State Senate Resolution for her services to Michigan's children.
