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This year, it our privilege to recognize Wendy
R. Shugol, of Centreville, Virginia, as the 2001 recipient.
Congratulations, Wendy! |
Wendy R. Shugol, 2001 Recipient
On paper, Wendy Shugol does not present as a handicapped person.
Who would imagine that someone who rides horses and swims at the
championship level, in addition to having coached a high school
swim team, displays a handicapped sticker on her vehicle? This is
the same person who has taught students with physical disabilities
in the prestigious Fairfax County public School system for 25 years,
and in her spare time trains dogs and sells her ceramics at craft
fairs. Don't let me forget to mention that she also performs with
the City of Fairfax Band. Is Wendy Shugol handicapped in the truest
sense of the word? I don't think so!
It was in the setting of Wendy's classroom that I learned to appreciate
her contributions to all students. Picture a social studies class
with five or six students whose physical disabilities range from
mildly palsied students who can speak haltingly, to wheelchair bound
students who rely on assistive devices to communicate basic needs
and ideas. At the center is Wendy, in her wheelchair or a classroom
chair with crutches resting nearby. Monroe, her new working dog,
snoozes on a mat by her desk. The students are engaged in a learning
experience that closely approximates that of their fully mobile
peers. Wendy adapts and extends instruction with everything that
she can get her hands on. She puts students on the computer to search
the internet for useful information and key in lessons and projects.
She walks them through large print and simplified versions of history
and government texts to lay the foundation for higher level thinking.
She encourages creativity by designing projects that appeal to her
students' interests. She extends their learning by taking them outside
the classroom to the library and on field trips. Wendy's students
understand that she has high expectations for them and is willing
to provide the necessary support for them to achieve.
Most important, Wendy Shugol is a positive role model for her students
with physical disabilities as well as for all the others a Falls
Church High School. Who better to show her PD students that anything
is possible than Wendy? Not only does she talk the talk, but she
walks the walk! And, what a wonderful message to other kids that
Wendy does her hall duty like every other teacher, accompanied by
everyone's best friend, Monroe. Her dogs have played such an important
part in the establishment of a positive school climate, that each
year their pictures appear in the yearbook, included alphabetically
amidst their two-legged classmates. Wendy has also raised awareness
about handicaps by training a group of PD kids to present candid
panel discussions in regular education classrooms. What a rewarding
experience for the panel participants as well as those students
facing them. Wendy's connection with students over a 25 year career
has stretched them, enriched them, and fulfilled them as they never
could have dreamed.
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