As we enter our 100th year of leading special education, the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is recognizing exceptional educators from around the world who have shown a passion, dedication, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of the students who they teach. Hear from teachers about their personal experiences working in the field, and get inspired to make your own impact this year.
Jennifer Ormerod
Jennifer Ormerod is a special education teacher for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grades at Hiawatha Elementary School in Essex Junction, Vermont. Jennifer started her career 25 years ago as an Early Childhood Special Educator and taught 3-5 year olds in a variety of Vermont’s inclusive preschool settings for several years. During that time she had an incredible opportunity to receive advanced training in Autism through the Vermont Rural Autism Project. This project trained early childhood teams across the state in early diagnosis and intervention for students with ASD. In 2007, she obtained her Elementary special education license and has specialized in the primary grades ever since. While at Hiawatha Elementary, Jennifer was trained by the Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators, earning an Associate Level Certification in the OG approach to reading instruction. This training increased her knowledge and skills in teaching students with significant reading disabilities. She is also a part of Hiawatha’s Guiding Coalition team as the team leader representative for the special educators at her school. Jennifer loves participating in professional development and has a strong desire to keep on learning new and effective ways for teaching students with disabilities. She has been fortunate to work with incredible, knowledgeable, and caring colleagues throughout her career.
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