Jackson's Parent Partnership Council honors six for helping disabled students

Becki Nation thanked her bus driver, Tracy Welker, for making the ride to school a little more enjoyable Thursday.

"She's funny and nice," said Nation, a junior at Jackson High School.

Welker was one of six staff members in the Jackson School District recognized for helping students with disabilities. The district's Parent Partnership Council held a staff recognition banquet at the junior high.

Staff were recognized for accomplishments like giving a student the spotlight during a play and creating an environment of inclusion in the classroom.

"She's always got stories to tell when she comes home," said Margie Nation, who helped her daughter nominate Welker. He daughter uses a motorized wheelchair.

The Parent Partnership Council formed during the 2007-2008 school year to connect parents of students with disabilities with district resources. Parents of students with individualized education plans nominate staff members for the annual recognition. This is the third year for the event and it has grown, said event organizer Nickie McCadams.

"Every year everyone hears a little more about it," said McCadams, a member of the council.

Honored were Welker; Cindy Fowler, an aide at West Lane Elementary; Amy Hume, an early childhood teacher at South Elementary; Pat Palisch, a music teacher at South Elementary; Sue Sell, an aide at South Elementary; and Kristen Thomas, a fifth-grade teacher at South Elementary.

McCadams nominated Sell, her daughter's aide, for the award. McCadams said her daughter Ellie, a first-grade student at South Elementary, has cerebral palsy. Sell challenged her daughter and improved her condition throughout three years of working together.

"She's been amazing," McCadams said. "That's all I can say about her."

Ellie has moved from using her walker to walking with canes, a big accomplishment, McCadams said.

"She doesn't even take her walker to school anymore," she said.

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