The Rolland J. Van Hattum Award for Contribution in the Schools recognizes an individual demonstrating exemplary commitment and contribution to service delivery in the schools. This award is supported by the Rolland J. Van Hattum Fund.
2018
Awarded $1,500; School system awarded $500
- Elizabeth A. Fitzpatrick
- Speech Coach
- New York City Department of Education, District 75
- Brooklyn, New York
Elizabeth Fitzpatrick has provided exceptional professional staff development to hundreds of speech-language pathologists in schools within the New York City Department of Education. In District 75, she has delivered speech-language treatment to elementary and high school students with autism, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, hearing impairments, and emotional disturbances. She helped to create the content for a new version of the Citywide Speech Services Communication Profile, a comprehensive document compiling assessment findings and baseline information to facilitate collaboration among personnel on student treatment plans. Her unique contributions provide models of best practice and enhance quality services for students.
2017
Awarded $1,500; school system awarded $500
- Marilyn Sandler
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Chicago Public Schools
- Chicago, Illinois
Marilyn Sandler is honored for leading the effort to build a multi-sensory environment room, called a Snoezelen Room, for students with special needs at Courtenay School. She is responsible for raising the funds, designing the space and selecting the equipment for the space that serves more than 100 students and the school's speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and special education teachers. The room provides a supportive atmosphere where students with disabilities and limited communication can receive education and therapy services.
2016
Awarded $1,500; school system awarded $500
- Kamela Rowland
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Little Rock School District
Kamela Rowland is honored for developing and implementing interventions to serve high school students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Written Expression deficits. Specifically, she has applied her comparative analyses studies to develop a Peer Buddy Program to encourage her students to interact with their peers during class, lunch, or school-related activities. In addition to this and other programs, she incorporates a student-driven Social Stories method to address code-switching and executive functioning. Through application of written expression studies, and as documented in testing outcomes, she promotes a team teaching model among her colleagues to improve students' targeted skills.
2015
Awarded $1,000; School system awarded $500
- Carol B. Fleming
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Little Rock School District
Carol Fleming is honored for her leadership in school-based advocacy efforts, specifically, the development of a web-based resource called The Speech Pathology Resource Guide©. This tool assists educational speech-language pathologists with documentation of therapy, including compliance, Medicaid, delivery of services, and state department of education requirements. The Guide has increased efficiency, productivity, compliance, and reimbursement for students receiving services for communication disorders.
2014
Awarded $1,000; School system awarded $500
- Bridget Seals
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Jefferson Parish Public School System
Bridget Seals is honored for creating a unique and replicable service delivery program, the Communication and Broadcast Program (CAB) for special needs students in a high school setting. This interactive and functional language communication training program, implemented over the past decade, incorporates a multi-media approach utilizing a television news broadcast format with lessons directed by speech-language pathologists and driven by students. Approximately 100 students across 6 schools now participate in this program where they learn measurable skills in a natural environment, enhancing their self-confidence, positive peer relationships and community engagement.
View Rolland J. Van Hattum Award for Contribution in the Schools recipients before 2014 [PDF].