Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/68725
Celebrating leadership We honor our champions, partners, leaders For photos, go to www.flickr.com/ photos/dsea. the Representative Assembly. It gives Rep. Assembly delegates a chance to reflect on the core values of the Association and all of the people whose lives are a testament to those important values. Approximately 200 people attend- ed this year's Celebration Dinner at Dover Downs Conference Center including U.S. Senators Chris E ach year, we hold a Celebration of Leadership Dinner the evening before Coons and Tom Carper, who came for the reception; Lt. Gov. Matt Denn; State Auditor Tom Wagner; State Rep. Michael Barbieri, Earl Jaques, John Kowalko, State Sen. Dave Sokola and Brian Bushweller; State Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin-Stewart; Deputy Sec. of Education Dan Cruce; and DSEA Past-President Diane Donohue. We give special thanks to: Kades Margolis Corporation for sponsoring the welcome reception; Diana Ware, retired member for providing piano music during the reception; and The Stecher Financial Group for sponsoring the after-dinner social and dance. Kim Bates (right), vice president of the Colonial Paras Assoc., has the honor of pre- senting the DSEA ESP of the Year Award to her friend and colleague, Joan Robinson. J Education Support Person of the Year Joan Robinson oan Robinson is a "Highly Qualified" unique alternative paraprofessional at the John G. Leach School in the Colonial School District. This school serves students resid- ing in New Castle County, ages 3-21, who have physical disabilities, mod- erate to severe mental retardation, or serious health impairments. Joan currently works in the upper-school classroom, helping to ensure the safety and well-being of her students, as well as helping Rosemary Aument, Colonial Para (right), presents DSEA's Community Partner Award to Bev and Dave Gregino who help Colonial students learn to become self-reliant, productive workers. Bev and Dave Gregino Owners of the Texas Roadhouse New Castle Community Partner Award William Penn High School's Adult Integration Program into their Texas Roadhouse restaurant. The students of the Adult F Integration program range from 18- 21 years of age and are living with cognitive and/or physical disabili- ties. The Greginos help the students become independent individuals by allowing them to learn job skills that they can use after they leave public education. or the past six years, Bev and Dave Gregino have been wel- coming the students of The Greginos teach basic employ- ment and social skills while simul- taneously inspiring confidence in the students. They take their com- mitment to the community very seriously and live up to their repu- tation as a family restaurant. Four years ago they hired a student who had begun working there as part of the Adult Integration Program. He is now a full-time employee. public education and social justice. Sen. Coons told the group that the S reauthorization of the federal educa- tion act, ESEA (nicknamed No Child Left Behind) has come to a screech- ing halt, for many reasons. "I keep reminding myself that I work for you, in a state that is functioning, that believes in collective bargain- ing." He said he tries to focus on how best to sustain an appropriate federal role in education. On hand were many generous vendors and organizations provid- ing information and give-aways to delegates and their guests. American Cancer Society AXA Advisors BJ's Wholesale Club Christy Shaffer Delaware Staff Organization DECET/Thinkfinity Delmarva Shorebirds Drexel University DSEA-Retired Educators Source HCR & EMAC TF 12 May/June 2012 DSEA ACTION! The Honorable Christopher A. Coons U.S. Senator ince his election in 2010, U.S. Senator Coons has been devoted to the progress of them achieve the goals in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). She is currently secretary of the Colonial Paraprofessional Associa- tion, and is an active leader. She has been involved with several fundraising events for her school (clothing, food and shoe drives, American Cancer Society), helping to demonstrate to the community how capable Leach students can be with adaptive devices and assis- tance from the Leach staff. "The challenges you face I carry with me every day," Chris Coons tells atten- dees. "As I work with members on the Senate Budget Comm., I think, how will this affect your ability to move the next generation forward?" Hear In America Horace Mann Companies Kades-Margolis Corporation M&T Bank MetLife NEA A+ Auto & Homeowners Insurance NEA Member Benefits Phoenix Learning Resources PNC Bank Security Benefit Sprint Stecher Financial Group Sussman Sales Co. T-Mobile Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry Verizon Wireless Wells Fargo Wilmington University www.dsea.org