Mercer teacher receives Annie Sullivan Award

Staff report

Grove city, pa.

Jenna Magee was honored with the Annie Sullivan Award at last month’s board of directors meeting at Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV.

Magee has served as an autistic-support teacher for MIU IV for the past 10 years. She is the 25th recipient of this award named for Helen Keller’s teacher and established by the IU’s Labor and Management Committee to recognize an educator who shows care, concern and skill in helping students with special needs gain acceptance in their schools and communities.

She was nominated for this honor by her colleagues.

“Jenna is a very dedicated and passionate advocate and teacher,” said Cecelia H. Yauger, MIU IV executive director. “She continually seeks opportunities to educate all teachers, community members, partners and students in the acceptance and understanding of students with differing abilities.”

Magee’s classroom is in Mercer Area Middle/High School. There, she created the Room 10 Senior Buddy Volunteer Program. Through this program, Mercer seniors volunteer in her classroom during their study hall and are given tasks, errands or assignments to complete with Magee’s students, their buddies.

This year between 15 and 20 seniors were in the program.

“The popularity of the Senior Buddy Volunteer Program has exceeded our expectations,” wrote her teaching assistants, Ruthie Hazlett and Margaret Zets. “Jenna goes above and beyond when it comes to the needs of her students and staff. Our kids are social and well-accepted by staff and students at Mercer. Jenna also makes our classroom known throughout the district.”

The Room 10 seniors usually attend the Mercer Prom escorted by a Mercer senior who volunteers to go as their date. One of Magee’s senior boys was nominated and crowned prom king this year.

Room 10 students know that she expects them to do their best; they also know that she exemplifies these expectations in her own life. She expects them to take responsibility for their own actions and decisions, maximize their own potential and leave a positive impact upon their world.

“I can tell you that Mrs. Magee is well known by her peers, students and parents for her dedication to providing the best possible education to whomever enters her classroom,” said Timothy Dadich, principal and coordinator of special education. “Mrs. Magee works with students with many needs above and beyond what the typical class might require. There have been moments of concern and triumph, tears and smiles, obstacles and clear pathways, but there has never been a moment where Mrs. Magee has considered giving up.

“She proves each and every day that ALL students can learn if given the opportunity and support necessary to reach their personal goals,” said Dadich. “Her students have gone on to post- secondary training and even to being voted prom king. This is possible because she cares so much about making sure her students become a regular part of our student body.”

Magee is a regular speaker/ advocate for her students both in the school district and at local colleges. She also serves in various capacities in her community, both as a volunteer and on the boards of Club Pet (a no-kill animal rescue shelter) as well as the Grove City Food Pantry.

She lives in Mercer with her husband, Shawn, and two daughters.