Connecting for Kids recognizes efforts with awards

Connecting for Kids is recognizing five individuals with 2022 Board Awards because they exemplify the mission of the agency by providing education and support to families concerned about their child, according to a news release.

David Schindler, resident of Avon Lake and director of Pupil Services/Special Education for Avon Lake City Schools, was selected as 2022 Educator of the Year.

Schindler has a long history of supporting students with disabilities, beginning as an educator at Positive Education Program, as a principal in Westlake and Avon Lake schools, and finally, as the director of pupil services in Avon Lake, the release said.

In his current role, Schindler actively thinks out of the box to find ways to help students succeed in ways that are most meaningful to their future, according to the release.

The nomination from a parent in the district states, “(Schindler) listens and he understands the importance of looking at the whole person, even in times when limitations of a global pandemic have made that sort of individual attention more difficult. He is truly an exceptional educator.”

Jeremy Meduri, also of Avon Lake and is director of Clinical Services at Insight Academy in Westlake, and Sara Rausch, of Westlake and is director of Education at Insight Academy, are the 2022 Professionals of the Year.

During the novel coronavirus pandemic, Meduri and Rausch saw an urgent need in the disabilities community with parents and caregivers having nowhere to turn, according to the release.

They watched the schools close and therapy center wait lists grow.

They also watched families reach their breaking points, the release said.

In September 2020, Meduri and Rausch opened Insight Academy in Westlake.

They welcomed all disabilities and grew so fast that they had to rent out the rest of their building, the release said.

Also, they saw the need and filled it at a record pace.

Their nomination written by a local parent states, “They have helped so many families in our community in such a short time, I cannot think of another duo more worthy of this award.”

Christine A. Chambers, a resident of Rocky River and owner of Abilities First LLC, received the Kathleen Louise Nash Board Member Award, which is named in honor of the founding president of Connecting for Kids and awarded annually to a board member who exemplifies outstanding leadership and dedication to the mission of the organization.

Chambers was elected president of the board in the fall 2019.

She helped Connecting for Kids to manage not only the first transition to virtual programs during the shutdown but also the loss of foundation grants and applying for a Paycheck Protection Program loan, the release said.

Chambers also helped the organization develop a plan for returning to in-person programs.

And, she did all of this while managing her own small business during the pandemic.

“Chris has used her leadership role as president to promote creative thinking, flexibility and hope among board members as our organization supports families in this constantly changing environment,” said Sarah Rintamaki, executive director of Connecting for Kids.

Salina Miller, of Euclid, is the 2022 Parent of the Year.

Miller founded Mother 2 Mother, a group that provides education and support to many minority families, when she saw that these families needed a safe space to connect with and support each other, the release said.

Through Mother 2 Mother, Miller educates local families on opportunities and new ideas to care for themselves and their loved ones.

From this foundation, she has educated families on disparities that people with disabilities

face and empower them to advocate for inclusion with the M2M Community Inclusion Council, the release said.

Miller also serves on the board of the Superhero Project, a program that helps youngsters who struggle to see the best parts of themselves through cartoon superheroes.