Nomination Process

The Awards Nomination Process assists Chapters and Subdivisions and/or individual CEC members in making nominations for Provincial Awards. Criteria/Guidelines and Nomination Forms are provided for each award. A list of current active regions and chapters in Ontario is included below. The Awards Committee will make its recommendations for provincial award recipients to the Ontario CEC Board of Directors in August. Candidates selected by the committee to receive awards/recognitions shall be notified in writing by the Chair of the Ontario Provincial Awards Committee.

**You must be a member of Ontario CEC to complete a nomination form.

Due date for all awards: July 31

Ontario CEC has established awards to recognize adult individuals who have given outstanding service to The Council for Exceptional Children or directly to exceptional children and youth. See Critieria/Guidelines and Nomination Forms below for the following adult awards, which are presented at the Annual Conference:

• The President’s Award to a CEC Member
• CEC Lifetime Achievement Award
• Lynn Ziraldo Advocacy Award
• Teacher of the Year Award by Region
• Educational Leader of the Year Award by Region
• Paraprofessional of the Year Award by Region
• Subdivision or Chapter Member of the Year Award by Region
• The President’s Award to a Partner in Education
• Business, Agency and Community Award by Region
• Post Secondary Adult Student Award
• Yes I Can Parent Award by Region
• Kenn Kloby Teacher of the Year Award
• Irene Mackowski Educational Leader of the Year Award

*See Awards Nomination Package Below

Each Chapter and Subdivision may submit 4 nominations for the YES I CAN Student Award. Nominations may also come directly to the provincial awards committee from anywhere in Ontario where there is not an active chapter. An individual CEC member may nominate a student where there is not an active chapter. For nominations from French boards, the location of the child’s school may determine which active chapter nominates and presents the award. Each nomination must have completed nomination forms and a signed media release.

A child/youth may be nominated in only one category. Please indicate this category on the nomination form.

• Academics- achievement in a particular subject area such as math, science, reading, social studies, language arts, foreign languages, etc. or a high level of achievement on standardized tests, etc.
• Arts-  achievement in a particular area such as music, art, drama, dance or written expression.
• Athletics -  achievement in motor skills or a particular athletic activity through a setting such as intramurals, Special Olympics, physical education classes, or after-school athletic activities.
• School & Community Activities- achievement in organized activities at the school or community level through groups such as school-based clubs/activities (yearbook, theater, debate, tutoring, peer mentoring, social, service) or community-based clubs/activities (volunteer work,  places of worship, service, cleanup campaigns).
• Technology – significant achievement through the use of assistive and adaptive technology devices and equipment (computerized or otherwise).
• Self-Advocacy- achievement in assuming practical responsibility for oneself, using knowledge of legal rights, advancing one’s goals, or effectively obtaining appropriate accommodations for oneself or others.
• Transition- achievement in mastering activities that lead to successful experiences in the areas of a) work, b) vocational training, or c) independent living. Nominations should be made in only one of the three areas.

*See Awards Nomination Package Below

Ontario CEC Regions and Chapters

Note: There are 3 options for completing a nomination form. 

1. Apply Online (preferred) 
2. Fill & Email -  fill in form online and email to the Awards Chair 
3. Print - print form, complete, scan and email to the Awards Chair 

Awards Chair
Donna Zuccato
donna.zuccato@gmail.com

Provincial CEC Yes I Can Student Awards

Criteria: An exceptional student who has demonstrated achievement in academics, the arts, athletics, school and community activities, technology, self-advocacy or transition.

Apply Online

Print

Fill & Email

Parent Release Form Must be completed by parents for all Yes I Can Student Awards

Click here for more information on international awards.

1. The CEC J.E. Wallace Wallin Lifetime Achievement Award
   This award recognizes an individual who has made continued and sustained contributions to the education of children and youth with exceptionalities. 
    
2. The Clarissa Hug Teacher of the Year Award
   This award honors a CEC member who currently provides direct services to students with exceptionalities and whose work exemplifies the best in special education teaching.
    
3. The CEC Special Education Research Award
   This award recognizes an individual or team whose research has made significant contributions to the education of children and youth with exceptionalities.
    
4. The Frederick J. Weintraub Outstanding CEC Leadership Award
   This award honors a CEC member who has made significant contributions to the Council’s programs and activities at the local, state/provincial, and national/international level over an extended period of time.
    
5. The CEC Business/Organizational Award
   This award recognizes a business/organization that has promoted and provided for the enhancement, awareness, and inclusion of individuals with exceptionalities to support their full participation within the community. 

1. The Outstanding CEC Student Member of the Year (Graduate & Undergraduate) Awards
   These awards honor a student CEC member for his or her dedication and contribution to children and youth with exceptionalities and to student activities. The awards recognize both an undergraduate and graduate student CEC member.
    
2. The Susan Phillips Gorin Award
   This award honors a college or university faculty member (including CEC chapter advisers) who has demonstrated exemplary personal and professional qualities while making outstanding contributions to promote student activities and to children and youth with exceptionalities.