The Annie Sullivan Award recognizes local educators for their service to students with special needs
The Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) honored fourteen Annie Sullivan Award nominees and Mrs. Danielle Berger, recipient of the 2023 Annie Sullivan Award, with a reception and award ceremony on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at the BCIU Main Office Building, 1111 Commons Boulevard, Reading, PA 19605. Colleagues, friends, and family gathered to recognize the outstanding service and dedication of these individuals to the advocacy and well-being of students with disabilities.
Mrs. Danielle Berger, Teacher on Special Assignment, Department Leader for the Kutztown Area School District, began her career with the district in 1995, serving in a variety of positions supporting the special education department. Over the course of the last decade, Mrs. Berger has served in her role as Teacher on Special Assignment in which she supports Kutztown students, teachers, and special education programs K-12. Additionally, she supports the district as a special education department leader, assistant field hockey coach, teacher mentor, instructor and coordinator of the Extended School Year (ESY) and Summer Work Program, Safety Care Trainer, and Unified Bocce Advisor for Special Olympics. Mrs. Berger plans to retire at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.
In a nomination form, colleagues of Mrs. Berger shared, “Mrs. Danielle Berger has made a significant impact on Kutztown students, faculty, and instructional programs. She applies the utmost professionalism while supporting district administrators, teachers, students, family partnerships, and community agency collaborations. Mrs. Berger has exceeded role expectations to provide students with exemplary instruction and services as well as supporting the greater school community.”
Mrs. Lori Christ, high school special education teacher shared, “Danielle has supported the staff, but more importantly, the students. She has touched many lives because she sees the benefit of educating the whole student. She is knowledgeable of their transition needs and develops a plan to support that goal.”
The 2023 Annie Sullivan Award nominees were:
- Miss Pashence Jarrett, Learning Support Teacher, Antietam School District
- Mrs. Joanne Santoliquito, Emotional Support Paraprofessional, Boyertown Area School District
- Mrs. Donna Hertzog, Paraprofessional, Brandywine Heights Area School District
- Mr. Ernest Woolf, Special Education Teacher, Conrad Weiser Area School District
- Mrs. Patricia Phile, Emotional Support Paraprofessional, Exeter Township School District
- Mrs. Erin Hulsey, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Governor Mifflin School District
- Mr. Brian Hendricks, Life Skills Teacher, Muhlenberg School District
- Miss Sarah Brown, Paraeducator, High School Career Academy, Oley Valley School District
- Ms. Rachel Lindenberg, Autistic Support Teacher, Reading School District
- Miss Dana Carter, Learning Support Teacher, Schuylkill Valley School District
- Mrs. Kristen Parsons, Life Skills Teacher, Junior Senior High School, Tulpehocken Area School District
- Mrs. Donna Larson, School Counselor, Twin Valley School District
- Mrs. Alison Poplaski, Social Worker, Wilson School District
- Mr. Walter Holt, Physical Education Teacher, Wyomissing Area School District
The Annie Sullivan Award is given in recognition of an individual who has worked to encourage the understanding and promotion of students with disabilities in his or her school or community. Annie Sullivan was Helen Keller’s devoted teacher and mentor who was nearly blind herself. After treatment, she regained her sight and committed herself to teaching the blind and deaf.
