Celebrating Excellence in Autism Services

Posted On April 02, 2025

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MCPS celebrated excellence in autism services during the fourth annual Autism Unit Awards on April 1. Teachers, paraeducators, administrators, service providers and community members were recognized.

The autism program serves more than 1,100 students in 60 schools. Classes are taught by 172 teachers and more than 400 paraeducators.

Awards included:

Excellence in Paraeducator Leadership and Collaboration: For those who have shown an independent drive to mentor new team members, this award is for natural leaders who go above and beyond while being truly outstanding in their field.

Shelly Cruz, Rock Creek Forest Elementary School
Vi Tu, Fields Road Elementary School
Helen Checkan, Woodfield Elementary School

Outstanding New Paraeducator: For paraeducators in their first two years working in the autism program who have demonstrated commitment to excellence in their role.

Aryanna Blake, Harriet Tubman Elementary School
Yoo Young Cho, Darnestown Elementary School
Etenesh Ebre, Takoma Park Middle School
Rahel Balcha, Rosemary Hills Elementary School
Ashlyn Price, Woodfield Elementary School

Outstanding Paraeducator: For paraeducators who exemplify student-centered support to their classrooms, programs and school community. Truly “outstanding” paraeducators are the backbone of classrooms, jumping in at a moment’s notice to support students in ways too numerous to count.

Massimo De Giorgi, Rosemont Elementary School
Damaris Aleman, Carderock Springs Elementary School
Muna Hussien, Robert Frost Middle School
Senani Seneviratne, Spark M. Matsunaga Elementary School
Lindsey Palmeter, Rockville High School
Cecilia Purcell, Fields Road Elementary School
Danielle Gilbert, Winston Churchill High School
Jasmine Dero, Watkins Mill Elementary School
Patrice Saunders, Montgomery Village Middle School

Teacher: Excellence in Instruction: Recognizing teachers with a commitment to outstanding instruction in academic instruction, work-based learning, programming, community-based instruction, communication systems, social skills, social-emotional learning or transition readiness.

Kristen Hornbostel, Rosa M. Parks Middle School
Stephen McGillivray, Montgomery Village Middle School
Adam Gawlinski, Watkins Mill High School
Alyson Allen, Rosemary Hills Elementary School

Left to right, Shelly Cruz, Lavina Carrillo and Christina Crawford from Rock Creek Forest Elementary School.

Excellence in Teacher Leadership and Collaboration: For teachers who have shown an independent drive to mentor new team members or classrooms at their school.

Reilly Herb, Quince Orchard High School
Maribeth Harrington, Kensington Parkwood Elementary School
Christina Crawford, Rock Creek Forest Elementary School
Bethany Ventura, Cedar Grove Elementary School
Ashley Anagnostiadis, Redland Middle School

Outstanding New Teacher: For an outstanding teacher in their first two years working in the autism program who has demonstrated commitment to excellence in their role.

Diana Gail Gallardo, Kensington Parkwood Elementary School
Edith Nda, Roberto W. Clemente Middle School
Alice McDonnell, Ridgeview Middle School
Wisamia (Mia) Enciso, Cloverly Elementary School

Outstanding Related Service Provider: Given to recognize the efforts of related service providers whose collaboration with classroom teams, flexibility and willingness to work with difficult situations is exceptional.

Christian Schneider, Occupational Therapist
Flor Salazar, MCPS Department of Transportation
Rachel Ginzburg, Speech and Language Pathologist
Kaitlin Leif, Speech and Language Pathologist
Suzanne Globerman, Speech and Language Pathologist
Maria Harrington, Speech and Language Pathologist

Outstanding General Education Teacher: To those who have demonstrated a commitment to foster inclusive learning communities for students with autism.

Jennifer Moss, Darnestown Elementary School
Margery (Margie) Prokos, Westland Middle School
Kristina Smyrk Tringone, Watkins Mill High School

Left to right, Kia Middleton-Murphy, George Moore and Kristin Ericson during the awards ceremony.

Outstanding Community Member: Recognizes a school administrator or community member who has demonstrated ongoing commitment to supporting teachers and students within any school-based autism program with advocacy and outreach.