The Special Education Foundation is pleased to announce that nominations are now open for the Third Annual Starfish Awards, taking place on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at The Reverie in Chesterfield. This signature event honors the extraordinary individuals in the Special School District community whose compassion, dedication, and daily actions create brighter futures for students with disabilities.
The inspiration behind this event comes from the beloved Starfish Parable, in which a young child walks along a beach covered in stranded starfish. One by one, the child tosses them back into the ocean. When told that they can’t possibly save them all, the child replies, “I made a difference for that one.” This simple yet powerful message reminds us that even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact.
Each Starfish Award nominee embodies that same spirit of making a difference — one student at a time. They are general and special education teachers who adapt lessons to meet every learner’s needs and help students see their own potential. They are paraprofessionals who offer steady encouragement and celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. They are bus drivers who make each morning brighter with a smile and a kind word, custodians who go out of their way to make a student’s day better, and administrators who lead with empathy and vision. Every nominee represents what it means to change lives through care, connection, and commitment.
If you know someone who shares these acts, we invite you to nominate them today. Here are a few examples of our Starfish Award winners and what their nominators had to say about them:
Wendy Hopkins
Paraprofessional, Parkway South High School
“In addition to her role as a paraprofessional, she spends time teaching students how to care for themselves so they are prepared for after high school. This includes cleaning, washing, and styling the hair of girls who do not have access to such treatment at home. She has supported students through major life transitions, through tough losses, and hard- to learn life lessons.”
Titus “Mr. T” Cothrine
Bus Driver, Arrowpoint Elementary School
“Mr. T. rarely has any misbehavior from students who ride his bus; however, when he does, he helps his students to understand his care and concern for them and their future. While speaking to a student in my office regarding his behavior on the bus, Mr. T. praised him for the times when he followed expectations and encouraged him to be an example to the younger students on the bus. ”
Bridget Linders
Teacher, Iveland Elementary School
“When nobody else is in a child’s corner, Bridget is there. She builds lifelong relationships with students and their families who keep in touch with her years after they have left elementary school. She is there every step of a way for our students, whether it be a pep talk in the morning to get their day off to the right start, a listening ear, or a comforting presence after a student has had a hard moment.”
Whether it’s a classroom breakthrough, a gesture of compassion, or a moment of unwavering support, these acts collectively strengthen our entire community. The Starfish Awards give us the opportunity to pause and recognize those who make the Special School District an inspiring place for students to learn and grow.
If you know someone who shares these acts, we invite you to nominate them today. Nominations are open through Friday, December 19, 2025.
Help us celebrate the people who make a difference — one student, one moment, and one act of kindness at a time.
