Horn Walter Burley AwardsOhio PBIS ShowcasePurple Star Award
Horn Walter Burley 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.
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- 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.
Learn more about OCECD
About R.A. Horn
About R.A. Horn
Acknowledged as a national leader in the field of special education, the late Dr. Raymond A. Horn devoted more than 60 years of service to improving the quality of life and learning for students with disabilities. Dr. Horn was the Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction Emeritus, who left a legacy and a challenge to all educators to ensure that every student with a disability be given the respect and the opportunities to which they are entitled.
About Franklin B. Walter
About Franklin B. Walter
The late Dr. Franklin B. Walter was Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1977 until 1991, a post held longer than any other state superintendent in Ohio’s history. With over 50 years of service as a teacher and administrator, Dr. Walter’s leadership is evident in many of Ohio’s quality educational initiatives and programs. Among these is the development of the nation’s first statewide plan for children with disabilities. This is the 31st year that the Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award has been given.
About Margaret M. Burley
Currently the Executive Director Emeritus, Margaret M. Burley served as Executive Director of the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities Executive Committee for 39 years. Margaret expanded the organization from five parent and professional organizations to an over $2.5 million budget, obtained and sustained grant funding from the Ohio Department of Education and U. S. Department of Education, directed public policy and research, and is nationally recognized for her commitment and outstanding work.
Walter Horn Burley Award Winners
2022 Walter Horn Burley Awards
2022 R.A. Horn Outstanding Achievement Award

Amelia Altman, a student at Liberty-Benton High School is the R.A. Horn Outstanding Achievement Award winner for 2022. She was nominated by Brenda Frankart, Director of Federal Programs & Curriculum at Liberty-Benton Local Schools, who had this to say about Amelia:
“Amelia is a hard-working senior who does a fantastic job in the classroom and out. She is conscientious with completing her assignments, and she is very involved in school activities. Academically, she has maintained a 3.69 grade point average, and she is an excellent student in the classroom. She is serious about her studies, and she is eager to help others be successful, also. She is an honor roll student, and she earns academic recognition for maintaining grades above a 3.5 GPA.
Outside of the classroom, Amelia is regularly involved in school and community activities. She is a member of the high school choir, a four-year member of the musical cast and crew, and a two-year member of the bowling team. She is a volunteer at the Mazza Museum, the Hancock County Humane Society, First Lutheran Church, Tri-the-Arts, and the Division of Wildlife. She always has a friendly smile, and she is a kind-hearted, helpful person to her classmates, teammates, and those she encounters in our community.”
2022 Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award

Lindsay Bates, special education teacher at Greenwood Elementary was selected as the Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award winner for 2022. She was nominated by Katherine and Steve Spenthoff who had this to say about Lindsay:
“When you have a child with Autism, you spend a significant amount of time worrying about how your child will be viewed by others. This was especially worrisome this fall when our son, Pete, transferred to Greenwood Elementary School. The changes accompanying a mid-year transfer sent our son into a mental health crisis. He was sad, scared, dysregulated, and unwilling to build peer and adult relationships.
Thankfully, Mrs. Lindsay Bates was assigned the momentous task of working with Pete Spenthoff. It immediately became evident that she not only saw Pete as a capable student, but also dedicated herself to convincing Pete that Greenwood was a safe place for him to learn and grow. She jumped into his world and learned about his favorite characters and integrated them into his day so he felt seen and valued. Pete’s classmates were explicitly taught about Autism in a manner where he became an understood and celebrated member of his third grade class.
Lindsay orchestrated a team of peers and adults who have all become educational advocates for our son. They meet regularly and work under her leadership to support our son and have brought him to a place where he is learning and growing alongside his classmates. Additionally, Mrs. Bates communicates with Steve and I daily to ensure that we are part of our son’s educational plan every step of the way. Thanks to Lindsay, Pete’s Communication Log has become a valuable collaboration tool in Pete’s education. Lindsay also created a “lunch bunch” of peers that has helped Pete consistently connect with classmates through food and games. The “lunch bunch” quickly became our son’s most cherished part of the day.
From the beginning of our journey with Autism, we knew it would take a special school to educate our son. Steve and I will be forever grateful for the tireless efforts of Lindsey Bates and Greenwood Elementary School. We are confident that her work will have a lasting impact on Pete’s life.”
2021 Horn Walter Awards
R.A. Horn Outstanding Achievement Award Winner |
James Patrick |
Springfield HS and Penta Career Center |
Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award |
Emily Nixon |
Springfield HS |
2020 Horn Walter Awards
The 2020 Horn Walter Burley Outstanding Achievement Awards were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019 Horn Walter Awards
R.A. Horn Outstanding Achievement Award Winner |
Dakota Gillet |
Four County Career Center |
Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award |
Pamela Burrow |
Fostoria City Schools |
Student Nominees
Andrew Chaney |
Toledo Public Schools |
Caydence Gibson |
Van Wert City Schools |
Natalie Lawrence |
Van Wert City Schools |
Educator Nominees
Laura Gahan |
Elmwood Local Schools |
Megan Hurless |
Van Wert City Schools |
Sara Schwiefert |
Elmwood Local Schools |
Morgan Weber |
Four County Career Center |
2018 Horn Walter Awards
R.A. Horn Outstanding Achievement Award |
Luis Alberto Fernandez |
Woodward High School |
Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award |
Amanda Berger |
Penta Career Center |
Student Nominees
Mekhi Parker |
Autism Academy of Learning |
Erik Wadsworth |
Penta Career Center |
Educator Nominees
Patti Talamentez |
Autism Academy of Learning |
2017 Horn Walter Awards
Award Winners
R.A. Horn Outstanding Achievement Award |
Rachelle Wyse |
Four County Career Center |
Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award |
Tracy Gunderman |
Paulding Exempted Village Schools |
Ohio Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Showcase
Each year, the Ohio Department of Education 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.
The following Region 1 schools will be honored at the Virtual PBIS/OLAC Showcase on December 6, 2022
Silver Recognition
Bronze Recognition
District Recognition
Maumee City Schools
2021 PBIS Awards
The following Region 1 schools were honored at the Virtual PBIS/OLAC Showcase on December 9, 2021:
Horizon Science Academy, Springfield |
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Dorr Elementary School |
Springfield Local Schools |
Bronze Recognition
Crissey Elementary School |
Springfield Local Schools |
Fairfield Elementary School |
Maumee City Schools |
Fort Meigs Elementary School |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Frank Elementary School |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Horizon Science Academy, Toledo |
|
Hull Prairie Intermediate School |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Perrysburg Junior High School |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Perrysburg High School |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Perrysburg Preschool |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Toth Elementary School |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Wayne Trail Elementary School |
Maumee City Schools |
Woodland Elementary School |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
2020 Network Showcase
Dorr Elementary |
Springfield Local Schools |
Horizon Science |
Springfield |
Robinson Achievement |
Toledo Public Schools |
Bronze Recognition
Bryan Elementary |
Bryan City Schools |
Crissey Elementary |
Springfield Local Schools |
Fairfield Elementary |
Maumee City Schools |
Fort Meigs Elementary |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Frank Elementary |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Horizon Science Academy |
Toledo |
Hull Prairie Intermediate |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Old Orchard Elementary |
Toledo Public Schools |
Perrysburg High School |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Perrysburg Junior High |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Toth Elementary |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Woodland Elementary |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
2019 Network Showcase
Silver Recognition
Horizon Science Academy |
Springfield Local Schools |
Robinson Achievement |
Toledo Public Schools |
Bronze Recognition
Bryan Elementary School |
Bryan City Schools |
Perrysburg High School |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Perrysburg Middle School |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Hull Prairie Intermediate |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Frank Elementary |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Fort Meigs Elementary |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Toth Elementary |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Woodland Elementary |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Old Orchard Elementary |
Toledo Public Schools |
2018 Network Showcase
Silver Recognition
Bataan Memorial Elementary |
Port Clinton City Schools |
Robinson Achievement |
Toledo Public Schools |
Bronze Recognition
R.C. Waters Elementary |
Benton-Carrol-Salem Schools |
Horizon Science Academy |
Springfield Local Schools |
Frank Elementary |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Toth Elementary |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Woodland Elementary |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Dorr Elementary School |
Springfield Local Schools |
2017 Network Showcase
Gold Recognition
Alternate Learning Center |
Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West |
Bronze Recognition
Clyde Elementary |
Clyde-Green Springs Village Schools |
McPherson Middle School |
Clyde-Green Springs Village Schools |
Pickett Academy |
Toledo Public Schools |
R.C. Waters Elementary |
Bent0n-Carroll-Salem Local Schools |
Robinson Achievement |
Toledo Public Schools |
Van Buren Elementary |
Van Buren Local Schools |
Whittier Elementary |
Toledo Public Schools |
Purple Star Awards
The Purple Star Award honors schools that show a major commitment to serving students and families connected to our nation’s armed forces. The Purple Star Advisory Board, formed by the Ohio departments of Education, Higher Education, Veterans Services and Adjutant General, helps decide eligibility. Nineteen Northwest Ohio Schools received the esteemed award for the first time and 18 schools earned a renewal after three years as dedicated Purple Star schools.
A Purple Star school will receive the designation for three years.
The application window for the 2023 class of Purple Star designees will open on November 1, 2022 with registration deadline of December 15, 2022.
Learn more and apply
Class of 2022 Region 1 Purple Star Award Honorees
New Schools
Crestview High School |
Crestview Local Schools |
Crestview Middle School |
Crestview Local Schools |
Crestview Elementary School |
Crestview Local Schools |
Four County Career Center |
Four County Career Center |
Miller City Elementary School |
Miller City New Cleveland Local Schools |
Hull Prairie Intermediate School |
Perrysburg Exempted Village Schools |
Sylvania Northview High School |
Sylvania City Schools |
Arbor Hills Junior High |
Sylvania City Schools |
Timberstone Elementary school |
Sylvania City Schools |
McCord Junior High |
Sylvania City Schools |
Maplewood Elementary School |
Sylvania City Schools |
Sylvania Southview High School |
Sylvania City Schools |
Sylvan Elementary School |
Sylvania City Schools |
Highland Elementary School |
Sylvania City Schools |
Stranahan Elementary School |
Sylvania City Schools |
Central Trail |
Sylvania City Schools |
Whiteford Elementary School |
Sylvania City Schools |
Hillview Elementary School |
Sylvania City Schools |
Wauseon High School |
Wauseon Exempted Village Schools |
Renewal Schools
Monclova Primary School |
Anthony Wayne Local Schools |
Whitehouse Primary School |
Anthony Wayne Local Schools |
Anthony Wayne Junior High School |
Anthony Wayne Local Schools |
Oak Harbor High School |
Benton-Carroll-Salem Local Schools |
Crestview High School |
Crestview Local Schools |
Eastwood High School |
Eastwood Local Schools |
Maumee High School |
Maumee City Schools |
Clay High School |
Oregon City Schools |
Otsego High School |
Otsego Local Schools |
Perrysburg Junior High School |
Perrysburg Schools |
Perrysburg High School |
Perrysburg Schools |
Pike-Delta-York High School |
Pike-Delta-York Local Schools |
Delta Middle School |
Pike-Delta-York Local Schools |
Delta Elementary School |
Pike-Delta-York Local Schools |
Rossford High School |
Rossford Exempted Village Schools |
Rossford Elementary School |
Rossford Exempted Village Schools |
Springfield High School |
Springfield Local Schools |
Bowsher High School |
Toledo City Schools |