Beekman Award

As President of MAASE, it is my privilege to introduce this year’s recipient of the 2010 Beekman Award. My greatest challenge in this endeavor has been in trying to encapsulate in a few minutes, the accomplishments of a lifetime. I hope I have done justice to this amazing individual.

The 2010 Beekman Award recipient has been a true pioneer in the field of education. Our recipient’s long and illustrious career began with the completion of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education in 1970 at Eastern Michigan University. While becoming established as a special education teacher, our recipient obtained a Master’s Degree in Elementary Curriculum from the University of Michigan. During the next six years, our recipient became well respected as a Teacher Consultant, Department Head and an Assistant Principal while simultaneously completing a Ph.D. in Curriculum Development from the University of Michigan in 1978. This year’s recipient has successfully educated, administrated, facilitated and advocated for students with disabilities in a variety of administrative roles in both general and special education leadership positions. Our recipient has been in the forefront on a local, district and state level and has never lost sight of the children that have been an inspiration for nearly forty years.

The 2010 Beekman Award recipient has been described by many as a dynamic leader who is inspiring, motivational and very professional. In addition to being a constant source of encouragement, our recipient is said to be someone who fosters creativity and ingenuity while also demonstrating compassion, integrity, flair, enthusiasm and a high degree of energy that is contagious. And fun! Our recipient does it all and has FUN!

Our recipient not only possess an uncanny ability to address the needs of students with disabilities, but combines that with dedication and commitment to assist staff and other administrators in improving the systems by which our success is measured. This commitment is rooted in a deeply seated desire to provide quality programs and services that address the unique needs of ALL children. This year’s recipient has worked tirelessly in identifying ways to support a systemic perspective by developing policies and procedural guidelines designed to foster staff independence. These documents were uniquely titled and have been shared across the state as a means to assist countless administrators and teachers in traversing the complex world of special education.

This year’s Beekman Award recipient is a member of several professional affiliations which include the Board of Directors for Michigan Council for Exceptional Children in 2005, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Alliance of Black School Educators, the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education President 2006, Phi Delta Kappa, and the Special Education Administrators of Oakland County.

Special honors include the Gwisdalla Award; Oakland County Special Education Director of the Year 2004. Additional community affiliations include Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Board of Directors for the Young Men’s Christian Association and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Related professional experiences of this year’s recipient include serving as a visiting and/or adjunct professor at Eastern Michigan University, Marygrove College, Oakland University and Grand Valley State University.

As a presenter, our recipient has provided professional development at several local conferences including MAASE Summer Institute, and Michigan Council for Exceptional Children as well as national conferences including the Council for Exceptional Children, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Legal Resources Publication and the National Alliance of Black School Educators.

The purpose of the Beekman Award is to recognize…“individuals who have distinguished themselves in the administration and leadership of special education programs on the local, regional or state level.” This clearly describes the 2010 recipient. Always advocating for others to get involved, she has done much to foster the growth of this organization. We have become a more proud and vital organization due to her role and influence. This year’s recipient has given voice to the importance of this specific award by being part of our video about the history and prestige of the Beekman Award. It is fitting that this honor be bestowed on her.

I believe we aspire to our current positions because we truly believe that we can make a positive difference in the lives of others. Our recipient this year is an individual I have watched, been inspired by and have seen as a role model. She is someone who HAS made a difference in the lives of students with disabilities, as well as with parents, staff, friends and colleagues. I know I am not alone when I say that the leadership qualities of this individual are many. She holds the highest respect of all of us and we feel privileged to work with and know her.

It is with great joy, boundless admiration and shear exhilaration that I present to you the recipient of the 2010 Beekman Award…our new State Director of Special Education, Dr. Eleanor White.