Career & Technical Institute special education teacher Erin Scott will receive a Community Service Award for Excellence from the Mid-Hudson School Study Council at its annual meeting and awards celebration in the Fieldstone Middle School auditorium in Thiells May 8.
“It’s nice to be recognized,” said Scott. “I just do what I do because it’s the right thing for the kids.”
Scott teaches special education but also is active in various other roles. She assists at CTI with SkillsUSA and works with LGBTQ youth, applying for and receiving a $10,000 grant for the group from the It Gets Better organization’s 50 States, 50 Grants initiative in 2023.
Scott has organized a Dutchess BOCES team for the last 10 years to participate in the Special Olympics New York Polar Plunge and coached students from Dutchess BOCES earlier this year in the Hudson Valley Special Olympics Regional Aquatics & Basketball Competition at Marist College.
Dutchess BOCES, which had students participate in the basketball skills competition, had students at the regional competition for the first time since COVID.
“Our students had so much fun,” said Scott of the regional competition. “Our administrators and physical education teachers loved it. They want to work and have a team next year so we should have a team and skills group.”
Scott also raises money for Special Olympics New York by cycling each September and participating twice a year in the Law Enforcement Torch Run.
“Special Olympics is one of my biggest joys,” she said.
Dutchess BOCES staff members, including Career & Technical Institute teacher Thomas Skean, nominated Scott for the honor.
“She goes above and beyond, and she brings us into the community with things like organizing our Polar Plunge team,” said Skean, who is planning to see Scott receive her award. “She understands the importance of developing relationships with students.”
The Mid-Hudson School Study is based as a guest at Mount St. Mary College in Newburgh. Lynne Cruger, assistant to the director, said there are 62 member districts representing Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Sullivan, Putnam and Dutchess counties. Dutchess BOCES is a member.
Cruger said the group’s mission is to “connect higher education and public education.”