Awards
Honoring Excellence in Special Education Leadership
Each year, VCSEA proudly recognizes individuals who demonstrate excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to special education in Vermont. Our awards honor both emerging and seasoned professionals whose work has made a meaningful impact on students, families, and the education community. From lifetime achievement to educator innovation and student support, these recognitions reflect the values that guide our mission.
Honoring Dedication: The VCSEA Golden Apple Award
The Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators (VCSEA) is proud to sponsor its annual Golden Apple Award. Presented each spring, this prestigious award recognizes an exceptional individual or team that consistently demonstrates outstanding professionalism and unwavering advocacy for students with disabilities.
Recipients of the Golden Apple Award embody key principles, including:
- Strengths-Based Programming: Focusing on student strengths to develop programs and activities that maximize individual potential.
- Inclusive Engagement: Actively creating opportunities for students with disabilities to be fully integrated members of the school community.
- Collaborative Teamwork: Consistently participating in and contributing to a collaborative team process.
- Resourceful Problem-Solving: Demonstrating ingenuity and resourcefulness in meeting the diverse needs of students.
- Compassionate Advocacy: Showing profound compassion and respect for students, their families, and all members of the school community.
The Golden Apple Award celebrates those who truly make a difference in the lives of Vermont’s students with disabilities.
Honoring Excellence: The Gail Lynk Administrator of the Year Award
The Vermont Council of Special Education Administrators (VCSEA) proudly presents the annual Gail Lynk Administrator of the Year Award. This esteemed award celebrates the enduring legacy of Gail Lynk, a Special Education Administrator whose profound and lasting positive impact touched countless students, families, and professionals during her dedicated tenure in the Addison Northwest Supervisory Union.
Each year, this award recognizes a Vermont Special Education Administrator who demonstrates exemplary effort and achievement on behalf of Vermont children with special needs, embodying the pursuit of excellence in the field of Special Education.
Dr. Marc Hull Special Education Leadership Scholarship
This scholarship was created to honor Dr. Marc Hull, a former Vermont Commissioner of Education who dedicated his career to creating equitable learning opportunities for all students, particularly those with disabilities.
Eligibility:
- You must be a Vermont resident and a US citizen or eligible noncitizen of the United States to apply for VSAC-assisted scholarships, unless a scholarship specifies otherwise.
- See a certificate of license in special education
- Enroll at least half time
- Demonstrate academic achievement (minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale)
- Demonstrate community involvement/service (particularly related to individuals with disabilities)
- Attend an accredited school approved for federal Titile IV funding (Pell grants, federal Direct loans)