During the eighth annual Excellence in Education Awards Banquet this week, the Berrien Regional Education Service Agency’s (Berrien RESA) Special Education Parent Advisory Committee named Kathleen Barton its 2012 award winner.

Barton is a special education teacher at Berrien RESA’s Blossomland Learning Center.  She was nominated by Berrien RESA staff members Autumn Zick, Diane Conover and DeLynn BusHouse-Williams.

Also recognized for their contributions to the special education community were:

• Margo Pierce, parent advocate, St. Joseph

• Kathy Hickok, autism consultant, Berrien RESA

• Linda Shannon-Chaillet,colunteer, Blossomland Learning Center, Berrien RESA, coordinator of 4-H Best Friends Canine Club of Berrien County

• Autumn Zick, speech therapist, Blossomland Learning Center, Berrien RESA

• Leanna Sysak, special education teacher, Lighthouse Education Center, Berrien RESA

• Wynne Baumgartner, special education teacher, Middle/Senior High School, Brandywine

• Caley Coleman, teacher, Merritt Elementary School, Brandywine

• Cassandra Weglowski,teacher, Elementary School, Brandywine

• Cindy Drew, Paraprofessional, F. C. Reed Middle School, Bridgman

• Melissa Payne, special education teacher, Elementary School, Bridgman

• Margaret “Peggy” Brinnehl, kindergarten teacher, Washington Elementary School, Coloma

• Jennifer Bauer, special education teacher, Middle School, New Buffalo

• Kim Magro, special education teacher, Elementary School, New Buffalo

• Nancy Mrozek, speech therapist, New Buffalo Area Schools

• Lisa Donahue, paraprofessional, Upton Middle School, St. Joseph

• Robert Silver, director of special education, St. Joseph