Special Ed Teacher, Students Honored In Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, OH — A Lakewood teacher was recognized during the 39th Annual Excellence in Education Awards, an event that honors students with disabilities, and their peers and educators. Neil Rupright, a paraprofessional at Garfield Middle School, earned the Outstanding Educator Achievement Award for the District and the Franklin B Walter Outstanding Educator Award.

The latter award is given to one teacher in each of Ohio's 16 State Support Team regions. The winners must make extraordinary contributions to the education of students with disabilities.

Rupright's colleague Patti Witri nominated him for the award. She wrote, “Neil treats all students with kindness and respect. He meets the students where they are functioning and works diligently to help them move forward to success in the classroom, school and their academics.”

In addition to Rupright, two Lakewood students also won awards at the Excellence in Education Awards on May 4. Garfield Middle School eighth grader Declan Markling earned the Outstanding Peer Achievement Award and Lakewood High senior Johnnesha Johnson earned the Outstanding Student Achievement Award.

Witri also nominated Markling for his award. She wrote, "“Declan is a caring and compassionate person. He reads and socializes with the students in our BRIDGES unit…. Declan is an exceptional role model for the students in the BRIDGES program and the whole student body of how to treat everyone with kindness and concern.”

Intervention Specialist Carrie Sullivan nominated Johnson, writing, "“Johnnesha is one of the hardest working students I think I have seen in my career as a teacher…She is a student that has gone above the call of duty in all she has done at Lakewood High!”

Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch