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Volume 15, Issue 2
MACMH's Outstanding Service Award Goes to Ann Pietrzak
Each year MACMH presents an Outstanding Service Award to a person in the field of children’s mental health whose exemplary work on behalf of children inspires us all. This year’s recipient, Ann Pietrzak, a special education teacher from Lakeville South High School, was honored for her courage, compassion, and creativity in working with children who have mental health disorders.
Of all the stellar applications that were submitted, the review committee was especially impressed by the nomination letter sent in by Kelly Gorman on behalf of Ann Pietrzak.
Here’s what Kelly said of her colleague: “Ann was selected last school year to teach in a self-contained program for students with numerous mental health disorders. The students targeted for this classroom were students who had experienced school failure, had been in and out of the hospital, day treatment settings, and setting 4 EBD school settings. The 7 students in the program remained for the entire school year, and 4 of the 7 were on the school's honor roll. Typical discipline procedures set by the school (such as in school suspension, out of school suspension, detention, sent to the office) were at a minimum, and for most students, non existent. Now, the students are nearly finished with their second year of a successful school experience.
This program is now in two buildings as more students who need this type of educational setting are identified. Ann discovered how to work with students who have multiple mental health disorders, and she helps them not only get an education, but works through their disorders and recognizing what wonderful people they truly are.”
Ann’s work is an outstanding example for all of us to follow. Her success shows us what can be accomplished when courage, care, compassion, and creativity are invested in our children. Congratulations, Ann!
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