Heartspring Award for Innovation and Creativity in Special Education

We are excited to announce the 2009 Heartspring Award for Innovation and Creativity Winners. We received numerous applications and nominations from very dedicated and creative teachers, professionals, and pioneers from across the country and around the world.

The 10 Heartspring Award Winners are:

Shawn Amador Illinois	Karel Horney Adam's Camp, Colorado
Dr. Shereen Abdel Kader Harris-Stowe University, Missouri	Geoff Mitchell Washington D.C.
Dr. Lillian Rankel New Jersey	Harold House Indiana
Tom & Janet Verner Magicians Without Borders, Vermont	Indrani Basu India
Allan Aistrope Virtue's Children Nepal, based in Califorinia	Serwah Quaynor Autism Awareness Care & Training, Ghana

Due to the many applicants who have done so much to change the lives of the children they serve, this year's selection process was particularly difficult. The Selection Committee therefore created a new category this year for those receiving an Honorable Mention. These people are included below:

Alexa Folsom-Hill
Ann Marie Lucas
Brian Gordon
Bradley Cook
Catherine Harris
Katherine McNeil
Evelyn Horton
Erin Phelps-Stark
Ginger Cahoon
Shannon Goodwin
Santina Ham
Hanna Bruning
Jennifer Hughes
Jennifer Krystopowicz
Angela Saunders

Kimberley Winburn
Lesley Ernst
Hannah Achtenberg Kinn, The League Treatment Center
Mary Schlieder
Lesley Messier
Millie Gore
Melissa Sears
Saili Kulkarni
Martha Summa-Chadwick
Wendy Beth Walker
Elisabeth Axel
Wanjohi Kabukuru
Ramanani Ravi
Nicole Martin

If you are interested in submitting an application for 2010, please check back after August 2009.

Do you think you are someone that is an innovative professional for students with special needs? Do you know someone that gets the job done using creative measures? If so, Heartspring wants you to tell us how you do what you do to get results for children with special needs. New ideas create results that matter and educators who are outstanding innovators are the right applicants for this award. The application process is simple. The format must be creative, take risks and tell us in a unique way how you execute your program to get results. Only the explorers, pioneers, risk-takers and innovators need apply.

Benefits of receiving this award:

$1000 unrestricted award
One of a kind program award sculpture
Expense paid trip to attend exciting and informative sessions where you will discuss, explore and learn from other innovative educators just like yourself

Applications for 2009 are closed - if you are interested in applying for 2010, please check back after August 2009.