We are thrilled to announce the four deserving winners of our ARIS Thrive Grant for Autism Educators who will collectively receive $40,000 in curriculum and support from STAGES® Learning.
As we wrap up our celebration of Autism Acceptance Month, we would like to again express our gratitude to all of the 650 educators who applied for the ARIS Thrive Grant. Your stories touched our hearts, inspired us, and reminded us of the importance of our mission to help every student learn and thrive. The winners, from various geographic locations and district sizes, are Anne May, Bronwynne Stewart, Heather Ganime, and Opal Page. Congratulations to each of these individuals on their well-deserved recognition.
CCRR & Bridges Teacher, Willow Woods Elementary, Warren Consolidated Schools, Michigan
Anne May is a dedicated early childhood special education teacher in Warren Consolidated School District, Michigan. With twenty years of teaching experience, she focuses on improving academic and school readiness skills for her transitional kindergarten students, particularly those who are autistic. Anne holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, and Masters degrees in Reading and Early Childhood Education. Additionally, she has certifications in art education, elementary education, reading intervention, and general/special early childhood education. Building relationships with her students' families is one of Anne's priorities, and she provides various opportunities for family involvement. This year, Anne has focused on increasing sensory experiences and implementing assistive technology. Anne was awarded the Communication is Key Playground AAC Core Board for her autistic students, enabling them to communicate more effectively. Anne is thrilled to be a recipient of the ARIS grant and looks forward to the 2023-2024 school year.
PreK Educator, John Robert Lewis Early Childhood, Orange Public Schools, New Jersey
Bronwynne Stewart is a Preschool Disabilities teacher in New Jersey who believes that all students have the capacity to learn. She advocates for equal and equitable education for students with disabilities and personalizes their instructional experience to create a student-centered environment conducive to meaningful learning. Bronwynne is an out-of-the-box thinker who creates unconventional ways to reach and meet her students where they are. In her efforts to address the varied sensory and learning needs of her students, Bronwynne regularly optimizes her classroom layout and purchases equipment and materials to provide necessary sensory input. She is passionate about educating her students and providing them with experiences and opportunities to succeed.
C Special Educator, Fredericktown R-1 Preschool, Fredericktown R-1, Missouri
Heather Ganime is an Early Childhood Special Education teacher in Missouri who has been teaching for 11 years, with the last 6 years in her current position. She serves students between 3-5 years old with developmental delays, the majority of whom are autistic. Heather finds joy in seeing her students make progress, no matter how small. Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, cooking, crafting, and watching remote control car races. She is honored to be one of the winners of the ARIS Thrive Grant for Autism Educators, but she considers her students to be the true winners of this amazing opportunity.
K-2 AU Teacher, Rockfish Elementary, Cumberland County Schools, North Carolina
Opal Page is a beginning teacher at Rockfish Elementary in North Carolina who is enthusiastic about supporting autistic children. She was inspired to pursue a career in Special Education after witnessing the impact of an excellent teacher on her son's academic success. Opal believes that no two autistic students are alike and that educators can build their confidence by tapping into their individual strengths. She takes pleasure in watching her students learn new concepts and become excited when they realize they can do it. Opal inspires her classroom with the mantra that every child is capable of learning in their own way, provided they have the opportunity to explore various materials and resources. Opal believes that it takes a team to educate, support, and advocate for autistic students and is proud to be part of that team at Rockfish, where Catherine Blackwell played an instrumental role in helping her write a grant.
Arizona
Patricia Finch, Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, Desert Star Elementary School, AESD
California
Jefferey Dixon, Special Education Preschool Teacher, Alameda Elementary, Downey Unified
Sharon Elizabeth Gallagher Tashjian, Resource Specialist, Solvang Elementary, Buellton Union School District SYVSEC
Sophia Martinez, SDC/SH Autism Teacher, Hawthorne Elementary School, Riverside Unified School District
Karen Paparella, Teacher of Moderate/Severe, Yuba County Office Of Education, Olivehurst School Campus SDC- Goldfield, Yuba County Office of Education
Colorado
Sharon Klebba, MIS Special Education Teacher, DCIS Fairmont, Denver Public Schools
Connecticut
Alison Conway, Early Childhood Education Program Director, Little Raiders University, Derby Public Schools
Georgia
Jordan Hirst, Special Needs Preschool Teacher, Belmont Hills Elementary, Cobb County
Yaminah Jackson, Special Education Autism Teacher, Joseph Martin Elementary, Liberty County School District
Idaho
Amanda Bush, Special Education Coordinator, Grangeville Elementary Middle School, Mountain View School District
Nichole Howe, School Counselor, Grangeville Elementary Middle School, Mountain View School District
Illinois
Ana Cheavens, Cross-Cat Special Education Teacher, Dennis Lab School, Decatur Public School District 61
Louisiana
Shelia Martin, Special Education Teacher, OW Dillon Leadership Academy, Tangipahoa20
Maryland
Courtney Turner, Preschool Coordinator/Special Education Teacher Specialist, Special Education Department, Queen Anne County Public Schools
Missouri
Cristel Rector, C.L.A.S.S.Program Teacher, Richardson Elementary, Lee's Summit LSR-7
New Jersey
Ophelia Chiles, Special Education Teacher, Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, Irvington Public Schools
Kate Mazzetti, Special Education Teacher ASD 5-6, South Street, Newark Public Schools
North Carolina
Tiffany White, Structured Learning Teacher, Charles E Boger Elementary, Cabarrus County Schools
New York
Kimberly Davis, Speech Language Pathologist, P36K, District 75, Brooklyn, NY
Pennsylvania
Molly Storti, Autistic Support Teacher, Limerick Elementary School, Spring-Ford School District
Amiee Tenerovich, NBCT, Low Incidence Support, PSE-Oliver, Pittsburgh Public Schools
Rhode Island
Stacey Caldarone, Grades 3-5 Self-Contained Teacher, Henry J Winters, Pawtucket School Department
South Carolina
Hope Campbell, Autism Teacher, Lucy T. Davis Elementary, Florence One Schools
Amy Jackson, Enhanced Learning Teacher K-4-3rd grades, Dewey L. Carter, Florence One Schools
South Dakota
Allie Johnson, Early Childhood Autism Program Special Education Teacher, Venture Elementary, Tea Area School District
Rebekah Smith, Special Education Director, Upper Elementary, Eagle Butte School District 20-1
Monica Waltman, Director of Special Services, Carrousel School, Douglas School District 51-1
Texas
Krystal Sutton, Special Education Pre-K-Kinder, Jess Harben Elementary, RISD
Utah
CeCe Afatasi, Life Skills Teacher, Heritage Elementary, Washington County School District
Rabecca Juarez, Life Skills Teacher, Panorama Elementary, Washington County School District
Angel Knapp, Life Skills Teacher, Sunset Elementary, Washington County School District
Vermont
Rose Achilles, Consulting Special Educator, Lyndon Town School, Kingdom East School District
Megean Martin, Assistant Principal, Rutland Intermediate School, Rutland City Public Schools, Vermont
Virginia
Beth Cheney Putnam, ECSE Inclusion Teacher, South Boston Early Learning Center, Halifax
Mary Sherry, Director of Student Services, Appomattox County Public Schools
West Virginia
Rebecca Walton, Special Education Teacher, Peterson Central Elementary School, Lewis County
Wisconsin
Carey Reetz, Speech-Language Pathologist, Hillside Elementary, School District of New Richmond
We applaud all the applicants for their dedication and commitment to providing the best support possible to autistic students. Your contributions do not go unnoticed, and we appreciate the time and effort you have put in.
Once again, congratulations to our winners and honorable mention awardees. Stages Learning looks forward to building partnerships to elevate the quality and consistency of autism programming in your schools and districts!