Banyan Elementary School Teacher Receives the Champions of Disability 2014 Award

Lori Michel, science teacher at Banyan Elementary School, was honored at the Salute to Champions of Disability 2014 Awards ceremony on May 20, 2014, at the Passaic County Administration Building. Lori was acknowledged for her volunteer work as the coordinator for the BOOST Tutoring Program, a part of the Association for Special Children and Families located in Hewitt, as well as for being the coordinator for the Association’s Kid’s Club located at Camp Hope in West Milford.

Lori was nominated by Angela Abdul, Executive Director at the Association for Special Children and Families, for creating programs and spearheading efforts that recognize the potential of individuals with disabilities. For 15 years, Lori has taught special needs students at Banyan Elementary School in Fairfield so her involvement with the Association for Special Children and Families has been a seamless fit. She is well-respected by her peers and a favorite among the students at Banyan School and the same hold true at BOOST, a tutoring program for 3rd- through 12th-grade students with learning challenges. As coordinator for the past three years, Lori matches the tutors to the students based on the child’s abilities and needs, and she also creates the lesson plans for each of the students. “Working to help children with learning challenges reach their full potential is so gratifying…and fun!” notes Lori.

The one Saturday morning each month that she isn’t at the BOOST Tutoring Program, Lori is spending time creating arts and crafts projects for special needs children and their siblings at Kid’s Club, a free program for children between the ages of 5-11 years old, offered by The Association for Special Children and Families. As coordinator of Kid’s Club, Lori organizes a variety of games, crafts and nature activities that take place indoors and outdoors at Camp Hope. Lori is also an active member of the Board of Trustees for the Association for Special Children and Families.

Banyan School’s Board of Trustees was delighted to have “one of their own” recognized by the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Advisory Council on Disability in such a meaningful way. Board Member Chris Cassino says it best in his congratulatory email to Lori: “You should know how proud the entire Banyan family is to have ‘one of our own’ be honored for her continuing effort in acting as a ‘Champion of Disability.’ As a board member and a parent, I am proud that a member of the truly outstanding Banyan staff is being recognized for her hard work, commitment and dedication to assisting children with needs.”

Paul Dworkis, past President of the Board, echoed Cassino’s sentiments when he wrote to Lori: “Being recognized for this honor is fitting confirmation of your many years of contribution to Banyan and to the community. You are indeed, a true champion!”