Georgia Council for Exceptional Children

Georgia Yes I Can! Student Award 2010

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the largest international professional organization for special educators, works to improve the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.

The Georgia Yes I Can! Student Award honors a student with disabilities who excels. This award celebrates the achievements of children and youth with disabilities; encourages these individuals to seek their highest potential; and increases public awareness of the abilities, aspirations, and personal qualities of those with disabilities.

Nominations may be made by teachers, principals, related service providers, friends, and parents.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Candidates must be 2–21 years of age when they are nominated.
  • The nominee must have an identified disability.

Rules and Instructions for Nomination

  • All nominations must be submitted in hard copy. All materials submitted become the property of Georgia CEC and will not be returned.
  • Each candidate must be nominated by one individual (e.g., teacher, principal, related service provider, friend, parent).

What to Submit in the Nomination Packet

The nomination packet is divided into five sections. To facilitate review, the nomination packet should be organized as follows:

  • Section A. Nominee Information
  • Section B. Nominator Information
  • Section C. Background Information
  • Section D. Supporting Documentation (including two letters of  recommendations
  • Section E. Additional Documentation (optional but encouraged

Complete the entire nomination form, providing specific information about the nominee. The more complete and detailed the information, the better.

  • Include one 5 x 7 color photo of the nominee. Write the student’s name on the back.

How to Submit the Nomination Packet

  • All nomination materials (including supporting documentation) must be submitted and mailed in the same packet.
  • Submit five collated copies of all nominations materials.
  • Put the nominee’s name on the front of each nomination packet.
  • Double-check that the nominee’s name is spelled correctly on all materials, as it will be printed on his or her award.
  • Nomination packets must be received by January 24, 2010.  Mail the entire nomination packet (5 copies total) to:
GA CEC Professional Awards
C/O Sandy Macdonald
Monroe Area High School
300 Double Springs Church Rd.
Monroe, GA  30655

Download Nomination Form (Word Document >Right Click>Save Target As)

Or use the online form below:

Note the easy way to do this is to download the nomination form and instructions.  Gather your required information and place it in a folder on your computer then complete the online form and upload the required data.

Section A: Nominee Information
Last Name:
First Name:
Street Address:
City:
State/Province:
Zip:
Nominee's Gender:
Nominee's Age:
Nominee's birth date (MM/DD/YYYY):
Nominee's Disability:
Parent or Guardian's Full Name (First Last):
Home Phone (###) ###-####:
Work Phone (###) ###-####:
Cell Phone (###) ###-####:
Parent or Guardian's Email Address:
Name of Nominee's School:
School Phone Number (###) ###-####:
School Fax Number (###) ###-####:
School Email Address:
Principal's Name (First, Last):
Principal's Email Address:
Name of School District:
Is a Braille Award certificate needed for this nominee if chosen?

Section B: Nominator Information
Nominator's Name (First, Last):
Street Address:
City:
State/Province:
Zip:
Home Phone (###) ###-####:
Work Phone (###) ###-####:
Cell Phone (###) ###-####:
Fax Number (###) ###-####:
How do you know the nominee?

DONT TOUCH THIS TEXTAREA

Are you a CEC Member?
If yes, list your CEC ID number:
If this nomination is being made by a CEC State/Provincial Affiliate or Division, please indicate the state, province, or division name:
Nominator's Email Address:

Section C: Background Information

1. Background Information
A. Describe in 150 words or less the challenges this student encountered prior to his or her current accomplishments (e.g., difficulty with reading):

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B. Describe in 150 words or less the current type of special education services provided to the nominee (e.g., general education class with special education consultation, inclusion, special education classes):

DONT TOUCH THIS TEXTAREA

C. Have the student’s educational services changed in the past two years? If yes, describe those changes in 50 words or less:

DONT TOUCH THIS TEXTAREA

2. Describe the student's accomplishments:

Consider creativity, innovation, and significance of the student's accomplishments to the individual and others.
A. Describe in 150 words or less the student’s achievements and accomplishments. You can upload appendices demonstrating examples of the student’s achievement.

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B. Describe the setting in which the accomplishments occurred (i.e., home, school, community, work) :

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C. Describe in 150 words or less the impact of the student’s accomplishments on him- or herself and others:

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3. Systems Supports
In 100 words or less, describe how your community or school system supported this student.

DONT TOUCH THIS TEXTAREA

Section D: Supporting Documentation

1. Upload two letters of recommendations as one file. One letter must come from a professional educator (teacher, principal...) The second letter may come from another educator or individual who knows the student. Letters must contain contact information for the persons making the recommendation.
Upload one file containing 2 letters of recommendation.

2. Upload suggested supporting documentation as one file. Please refer to the nomination form you downloaded. Scanned documents pdf or Word documents only. DO NOT upload CD or DVD files this must be mailed with complete information about the nominee or they will not be considered.
Upload one file containing suggested supportive documentation:

Section E: Additional Documentation (Optional)

The following are suggestions for additional documentation that may be provided:

Nominee's personal comments on achievement (highly recommended)

Newspaper Articles

Documentation of other awards or recognition for achievement

Other relevant information about the nominee
Upload one file containing additional documentation: