You Make a Difference

On the evening of Wednesday, March 24, 2010 the Community Advisory Committee for Special Education event awarded 20 recipients with a “You Make a Difference Award” at Mountain View Elementary. A committee of staff and Community Advisory Committee members worked together in planning the event. As a committee they were challenged with the task of choosing just 20 recipients from the wonderful nominations they received. It was a difficult decision for them to narrow down the award recipients but in the end they choose 20 that have gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of children receiving special education students. Many award recipients came from all different areas of services provided throughout the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and the community. Some recipients included community members that dedicate their time providing services to those with special needs, Teachers, Special Education Assistants, general education student, parents, Board Member, bus driver and much more including a campus supervisor that passed away earlier this year. Of the recipients awarded they were:

Jacques Casamajor Teacher at Valley View Middle School
Louise Clark CEP Teacher at Sun Terrace Elementary
Reatha Clark Special Education Assistant at Ayers Elementary



Roberta Compagno Campus Supervisor at Sequoia Middle School



Bernadette Fatehi Buddy Play Coordinator
Pete Gaughan Concord AYSO VIP Director
Autumn Green All In Need Coordinator at Oak Park Christian Center



Carolyn Jaynes Educational Representative for Foster Youth Volunteer
Cheryl Kolano Principal at Robert Shearer Preschool and Gregory Gardens Elementary
Angela Large Special Education Teacher at Concord High School
Linda Mayo Board Member for Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Lucy Murov General Education Student at Strandwood Elementary
Julie Nibblett Parent at Strandwood Elementary
Mari Nist Special Education Assistant at Pine Hollow Middle School
Carole Penaloza Special Education Assistant at Highlands Elementary
Carol Smith Special Education Teacher at Strandwood Elementary
Wade Taylor Special Education Bus Driver at Mt. Diablo Unified



The Walnut Festival Association “Special Needs Night” at the Walnut Festival
There to receive the award were Bob Lloyd & Wendy DeVoe.
Carrie Weil Special Education Teacher at Riverview Middle School
Don and Judy Williams Community Volunteers at Monte Gardens Elementary



The evening was a very heart warming event where the stories about the award recipients were exemplary of the outstanding efforts they had made to make a difference for these students. As the recipients received their awards they spoke very kindly about those that have supported them to do their work and also the students they have made a difference for have truly touched their lives as well.



Also, a big thank you goes to the donors that helped provide refreshments for the event including Sweet Tomatoes, Starbucks on Railroad Ave and in Pleasant Hill, Mimi’s Café, Carl’s Jr. on Kirker Pass Rd., Progressus Therapy, Trader Joe’s on Oak Grove Rd., and the CAC members and staff. We had a special musician volunteer his time to play music for the event, so a thank you to Paul Blackwell for the beautiful music played that evening.