Rebecca Darling
Andy Furbee’s Speech
Good afternoon everyone. I am thrilled to be here. What a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the 2008 Ted Smith Practitioner of the Year Award nominations. I would like to thank the Illinois School Psychologist Association for this opportunity.
I am Andy Furbee, Director of Special Education for Manteno Consolidated Unit School District # 5. Manteno is located in Kankakee County. I have been working in Manteno for the past 11 years. 10 of these years I have worked with my special nominee.
I have two questions to ask each of you. Have you been fortunate to work with someone of greatness? Have you been privileged to work in a program that is second to none?
My answers to these questions are yes. It is because of my nominee’s exemplary skills as a school psychologist that I have had an amazing opportunity to work with someone of greatness. It is because of my nominee’s compassion, fervent ethics and expertise that Manteno school district’s special education programs are second to none.
My nominee for this auspicious award is Mrs. Rebecca A. Darling.
In my 18 years in the field of special education there is no other school psychologist more deserving of this prestigious award then Mrs. Darling.
Mrs. Darling is a beckon of light for the Manteno community and members of the Kankakee Area Special Education Cooperative. Long before the term Response to Intervention was conceptualized, Mrs. Darling developed Manteno CUSD #5’s consultation team policy. Her visions, direction, leadership, research, resolve, and love for children made this happen.
Mrs. Darling is an active participant in positive change for Manteno CUSD #5. She never settles for the status quo and always strives to provide the best available resources for Manteno. Due to Mrs. Darling’s drive Manteno has received several invaluable grants. Her endless search for best practices resulted in Manteno being one of the first districts awarded the Illinois Alliance for School-based Problem-solving and Intervention Resources in Education grant. Popularly known as ASPIRE. This grant has provided Manteno with priceless amounts of technical support, staff development, and intervention resources. Mrs. Darling also wrote and obtained a grant from CSC Learning and UCP/Infinitec. This Reading Intervention Technology Leadership grant was accepted by these agencies due to Mrs. Darling’s demonstrated leadership in developed and shared best practices in the use of scientifically-based, technology-enabled reading intervention programs. Furthermore, Mrs. Darling’s organization, leadership skills, and vision were the basis in Manteno CUSD #5 securing the Early Childhood Block Grant at a time when funds from ISBE were limited. All these programs continue to flourish and provide support and services to children in need because of Mrs. Darling’s unfaltering support and guidance.
Whether Mrs. Darling receives the 2008 Practitioner of the Year Award, on behalf of the Manteno community I would like to offer her a sign of appreciation.
Mrs. Darling, for your perpetual services to the children of Manteno CUSD #5, I would like to provide you this wand of wisdom. Please continue providing your wands of wisdom to the Manteno community.
Good afternoon everyone. I am thrilled to be here. What a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the 2008 Ted Smith Practitioner of the Year Award nominations. I would like to thank the Illinois School Psychologist Association for this opportunity.
I am Andy Furbee, Director of Special Education for Manteno Consolidated Unit School District # 5. Manteno is located in Kankakee County. I have been working in Manteno for the past 11 years. 10 of these years I have worked with my special nominee.
I have two questions to ask each of you. Have you been fortunate to work with someone of greatness? Have you been privileged to work in a program that is second to none?
My answers to these questions are yes. It is because of my nominee’s exemplary skills as a school psychologist that I have had an amazing opportunity to work with someone of greatness. It is because of my nominee’s compassion, fervent ethics and expertise that Manteno school district’s special education programs are second to none.
My nominee for this auspicious award is Mrs. Rebecca A. Darling.
In my 18 years in the field of special education there is no other school psychologist more deserving of this prestigious award then Mrs. Darling.
Mrs. Darling is a beckon of light for the Manteno community and members of the Kankakee Area Special Education Cooperative. Long before the term Response to Intervention was conceptualized, Mrs. Darling developed Manteno CUSD #5’s consultation team policy. Her visions, direction, leadership, research, resolve, and love for children made this happen.
Mrs. Darling is an active participant in positive change for Manteno CUSD #5. She never settles for the status quo and always strives to provide the best available resources for Manteno. Due to Mrs. Darling’s drive Manteno has received several invaluable grants. Her endless search for best practices resulted in Manteno being one of the first districts awarded the Illinois Alliance for School-based Problem-solving and Intervention Resources in Education grant. Popularly known as ASPIRE. This grant has provided Manteno with priceless amounts of technical support, staff development, and intervention resources. Mrs. Darling also wrote and obtained a grant from CSC Learning and UCP/Infinitec. This Reading Intervention Technology Leadership grant was accepted by these agencies due to Mrs. Darling’s demonstrated leadership in developed and shared best practices in the use of scientifically-based, technology-enabled reading intervention programs. Furthermore, Mrs. Darling’s organization, leadership skills, and vision were the basis in Manteno CUSD #5 securing the Early Childhood Block Grant at a time when funds from ISBE were limited. All these programs continue to flourish and provide support and services to children in need because of Mrs. Darling’s unfaltering support and guidance.
Whether Mrs. Darling receives the 2008 Practitioner of the Year Award, on behalf of the Manteno community I would like to offer her a sign of appreciation.
Mrs. Darling, for your perpetual services to the children of Manteno CUSD #5, I would like to provide you this wand of wisdom. Please continue providing your wands of wisdom to the Manteno community.
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