Joining the Special Education Foundation as its new Executive Director in the spring gave me a fantastic opportunity to see many of our programs in action, especially as teachers and students celebrated the successes that come with the end of a school year.
I started on April 18 and was quickly swept up by several events that the amazing staff and SEF Board of Directors host.
In my first month, I had the privilege of attending an Open House of the new Audiology Center at Litzsinger School and awarding the John Cary scholarships to college-bound seniors served by the Special School District of St. Louis County.
I was enormously impressed by the Fred Saigh Leadership Academy class of 2022 at its Graduation Ceremony in early May and enjoyed meeting many great friends of the Special Education Foundation at our Women Leaders Fashion Show held at Saks Fifth Avenue in Frontenac. It is also worth mentioning that the entire Saks staff was incredible. Their support for our event helped raise more than $20,000 to help students with disabilities in St. Louis County.
I also appreciated the welcome by the administration and staff of the Special School District. Everyone has been generous with their time, helping me learn and understand how our organization can support SSD’s mission to empower students of all learning abilities to excel to their greatest potential.
I’ve also been lucky enough to experience some of the projects funded by SEF’s Mini-Grant program, including meeting students and staff of the Vocational Skills Program at their end-of-year picnic and observing students at the Litzsinger Green Paws Garden Club.
The Garden Club immerses students in nature and the natural world, allowing for a re-connection to nature via an established green space called Mark’s Garden at Litzsinger School. Strolling through Mark’s Garden is just part of learning about nature. The Green Paws students also learn about growing vegetables. They voted on what to grow, planted 2 garden beds, maintained a watering schedule, and actually harvested some tasty strawberries.
With the onset of summer, our Kid-to-Camp program is in full swing providing students with rewarding and needed summertime experiences, particularly after two years impacted by COVID.
I’ve seen first-hand how our adaptive equipment program helped a non-verbal student with autism become an effective communicator.
In addition, I learned how our Critical Needs program helped alleviate some immediate food insecurity challenges when $50 food baskets were handed out to 100 SSD families over the summer break.
As I look beyond my first 100 days, I’m inspired by the passion I hear in the many conversations I have had with teachers, administrators, board members, partners, donors and SEF staff. The common theme to every discussion is how we can help students and families in need.
One of my goals will be to reach out to community leaders in St. Louis County that may not know what SEF has to offer students with disabilities. I also want to continue to work closely with our colleagues in the Special School District and the 22 partner districts across St. Louis County to raise awareness of our existing programs and explore ideas to foster the creation of new programs to help students.
I know the first 100 days are just the beginning, but it signals an exciting new direction for me as I focus on how SEF can fulfill its mission to empower students with disabilities by giving them the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.
Thanks to our partners, friends, and donors for supporting this mission.