Charitable Foundation Awardees

Johan de Besche - The Learning Center for Deaf Children, Framingham, MA
Mr. de Besche, a physical therapist, is earning a doctorate in physical therapy from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions. His work with deaf children has become more challenging in recent years -- he sees more students with multiple disabilities and complex medical issues. His completion of a course in Diagnostic Imaging will allow him to meet these increased needs with better knowledge.

Jerome Gill - The Castle School, Cambridge, MA

Mr. Gill left a better paying job in computers to teach history and political science to special education students at the Castle School. His work with seriously troubled adolescents has expanded to include designing new electives, guidance counseling and a promotion to Head Teacher. He is pursuing a Special Education Licensure in Moderate Disabilities at Cambridge College.

Melissa Laidlaw - Cardinal Cushing Centers, Hanover, MA
Ms. Laidlaw has been a vocational instructor at the Cardinal Cushing Center for 18 years. She seeks certification as a Special Education teacher. As an older, non-traditional student with a child starting college, she welcomes the help this scholarship provides in finding the time and financial resources to pursue her studies.
 

Denise McCall - The Holden School Inc, Charlestown, MA
Ms. McCall’s journey to becoming a teacher at the Holden School was fraught with personal challenges. With a compassion and empathy learned from her own disadvantaged childhood, she now provides education, counseling and support services to adolescents with learning disabilities and behavior disorders. Her goal is a Masters Degree in Human Services, Leadership and Management from Springfield College, Boston campus.

Susan Widmer -- The Harbor Schools and Family Service, Amesbury, MA

Ms. Widmer, a Special Education teacher at the Harbor Schools for six years, is currently working toward her Master’s Degree in Special Education. She teaches life science and earth science to at-risk adolescents. Her supervisor, in recommending her for the scholarship, states, "she deals on a daily basis with some of the most troubled youngsters in the state. These are the students that have never been successful in public school and for the first time, under her tutelage, are beginning to develop confidence in themselves and their academic abilities."