ANNOUNCING THE 2025 AWE AWARD WINNERS
Brian Lau, M/M SDC Teacher, Roosevelt Middle School
Cynthia Payne, ESN SDC Teacher at Sunnyside Elementary School
Flavia Valdes, Senior Education Specialist, Support for Families
Katie Mazza, Orientation & Mobility Specialist, George Washington High School
Kiri Ramos, RSP Teacher, New Traditions Creative Arts
Lisa Rivera (PT) & Jonelle Chase (OT), California Children’s Services Medical Therapy Unit
Vanessa Marrero, Executive Director, Parents for Public Schools
Each year the CAC recognizes and celebrates the individuals and groups who support, inspire and teach students with exceptional needs in the San Francisco Unified School District. We are grateful to all individuals who are allies to our students. Their efforts and kindness make a difference.
Nominations are submitted by filling out a nomination form from January 6 - March 1st and providing examples of why you think the individual you are nominating deserves an award. Tell us how the individual has inspired you, your child and/or your school community. Looking for inspiration? Check out some of the winners from years past.
Any individual or group of individuals in SFUSD or in the city of San Francisco who has worked to support, teach and contribute to improving the lives and lived experiences of exceptional students. Past nominees include special education staff, central office staff, SFUSD students, general education teachers, PE teachers, bus drivers, SF Public Library staff, Support for Families staff and even a local journalist.
Each year 5-7 winners are selected. The CAC for Special Education Board holds an anonymous vote in early March to choose the winners.
Award recipients will be celebrated at a ceremony that includes recognition from SFUSD staff and CAC leadership at the March CAC General Meeting on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 6PM.
Our 2019 AWE Award Winners with SFUSD Chief of Special Education
Left to right: Carrie Pike, Kendall Kincaid, Laura Lay, Jean Robertson, Edith Arias, Marlies McCallum, and John Stassen
Not Pictured: Joseph Deckman