Expos & Awards

Ohio public schools, community schools, career centers, and county boards of developmental disabilities are encouraged to recognize the accomplishments of Ohio educators and students with disabilities by nominating them for these annual achievement awards.

• • The R.A. Horn Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes the accomplishments of one exemplary special education student from each of Ohio’s 16 State Support Team regions.
  • Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award is presented to one educator or team from each of Ohio’s 16 State Support Team regions for extraordinary contributions to the education of students with disabilities.
  • In addition, the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities Executive Committee will select an Ohio parent to receive the Margaret M. Burley Award.

The annual Horn Walter Burley Awards are sponsored by the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) with assistance from Ohio’s State Support Teams.

Walter Horn Burley Award Winners

2024 Walter Horn Burley Awards

2024 R.A. Horn Outstanding Student Achievement Award

Paige Pitchford – Seneca County Opportunity Center Nominated by – Kaleb Kuhlman Over the course of her academic career at the Opportunity Center Paige has flourished finding her voice and gaining more and more independence. Paige greets everyone with a friendly smile and a hello. Paige only needs to meet you once and she will not forget your name! She brightens everyone’s day that she comes across. Paige will be graduating from the school program this year and will be dearly missed but we know she will do great things in adulthood. Paige will be entering the work force and any employer would be lucky to have her!

 

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2024 Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award

Northwest Ohio Classical Academy Special Ed Team Sarah Davis (Director of Student Services), Dylan Goodman (Lower School Intervention Specialist) and Patsy Crawford (Upper School Intervention Specialist) Nominated by – Anastasia Desmond The Northwest Ohio Classical Academy Special Education team under the direction of Sarah Davis has done an incredible job working with students on their case load. Parents compliment the school liberally citing that they really feel that their child’s needs and concerns are met with utmost consideration, and that their child is well cared for. The NOCA SPED team works tirelessly to write beautiful student-centered IEPs and 504 plans that result in students receiving services that translate into academic success. The SPED team advocates for support services and goes above and beyond to track and use data, seek out tutoring and transition services, and ensure that testing accommodations are optimal. We are so thankful for our amazing SPED team!

 

Each year, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the Ohio PBIS Network host a Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) Showcase to recognize Ohio’s schools implementing PBIS with high fidelity. This event brings together hundreds of Ohio principals, teachers, counselors and others to network and share best practices around PBIS implementation to ensure safe and supportive school environments. 

In Ohio for the 2023-2024 school year 601 schools and districts were awarded the following levels: 399 Bronze Tier 1, 129 Silver Tier 2, 48 Gold Tier 3, and 25 District Awards. The following Region 1 schools will be honored at the 2025 Showcase for AcceleratED Leadership & Learning on January 28, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.

2024 Gold Recognition Award

Purple Star Awards

The Purple Star Award recognizes schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Schools that earn the award will receive a special Purple Star recognition to display on site. A Purple Star school will receive the designation for three years.

Class of 2025 Region 1 Purple Star Award Honorees

New Awardees

Renewal Awardees