May 12, 2008

Six central San Joaquin Valley special education professionals will be honored for their work and one will be presented the 2006 Carolyn Dobbs Special Education Teacher of the Year Award on Thursday, Dec. 7.

The Dobbs Award is presented by the Kremen School of Education and Human Development at California State University, Fresno to recognize the importance of the work of special education professionals.

The six nominees will be honored at a Dec. 7 banquet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Residence Dining Facility on the Fresno State campus.

The 2006 Dobbs Award nominees are:

• Cheri Anderson, teacher-severe disabilities, L.B. Hill Learning Center, Tulare County Office of Education

• Hart Broesel II, intervention teacher, Central High West, Fresno County Office of Education

• Susan Kalpakoff, educational specialist-autism behavior, Fresno Unified School District

• Laura Lavery, special education teacher, Century Elementary School, Clovis Unified School District

• Marilyn Marsh, educational specialist-behavior, Fresno Unified School District

• Jennifer Slatten, special education teacher-severe disabilities, Ada Givens Elementary School, Merced County Office of Education

The annual Carolyn Dobbs Award was created in 2005 by the Kremen School. A graduate of the Kremen School, Carolyn Dobbs dedicated her professional life to the advancement of special education for children.

She enriched the lives of many students as a special education teacher and supported the growth and development of thousands of teachers as editor and publisher of “The Pointer,” an international publication for special education professionals. To acknowledge her contributions to education throughout the world, she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters from Fresno State in 2004.

Dr. Dobbs’ achievements have been recognized by the White House, Congress and the California Legislature, among many others. She is retired and lives in Northern California.

Related link and video clip: www.fresnostatenews.com/2004/May/Dobbs.html.