SEPTA Excellence Awards

SEPTA believes in honoring the extraordinary efforts of FCPS educators, administrators, paraprofessionals, specialists, students, schools, and community members who make a lasting impact on students with disabilities. These dedicated individuals work tirelessly to create opportunities, foster growth, and ensure every student receives the support they need.

Our annual awards ceremony celebrates those who go above and beyond in supporting students with disabilities. Nominees should be outstanding advocates for special education, demonstrating commitment and passion for empowering students with disabilities. Whether they work in inclusive classrooms, specialized settings, or anywhere in between, they deserve to be recognized for their hard work and dedication.

Anyone can submit a nomination. You do not need to be a SEPTA member to nominate someone or be nominated.

2025-2026 SEPTA Nomination Form

The 2025-2026 SEPTA Award categories are as follows:

  • Abbie Bachmore Memorial Award (Student Who Most Supports Inclusion)
  • Outstanding Student (student with an IEP or 504 plan making positive contributions to the special education community in their actions or as a role model or leader)
  • Outstanding Special Education Teacher- Preschool
  • Mark Stewart Memorial Award – Outstanding Special Education Teacher – Elementary
  • Outstanding Special Education Teacher – Secondary
  • Outstanding General Education Teacher – Elementary
  • Outstanding General Education Teacher – Secondary
  • Outstanding Administrator- Elementary (principals, assistant principals, special education department chairs)
  • Outstanding Administrator – Secondary (principals, assistant principals, special education department chairs)
  • Outstanding Co-Curricular Staff (elementary school specials (eg. art, music, PE) teachers, middle/high school electives – eg theatre, arts, STEM electives & more – teachers, librarians, teacher-sponsors or coordinators of after-school clubs – eg D&D, GSA, robotics, athletics coaches & more)
  • Outstanding Instructional Support Staff (eg, instructional assistants, public health attendants, public health training assistants, school clinic aides))
  • Outstanding Related Service Provider (counselors, OT, PT, speech, adapted PE, social workers, psychologists, assistive technology specialists (ATS), Deaf/HoH, vision impairment specialists)
  • Outstanding Support Staff(bus drivers or attendants, custodians, food service workers, school office staff, etc.; can name a team as one entry)
  • Outstanding Central Office Staff (procedural support liaisons, behavior intervention teachers, regional or central office staff, countywide specialists, etc.)
  • Outstanding FCPS School-Based Inclusive Activity or Program (Examples include FCPS clubs, FCPS after-school programs, FCPS peer mentorship classes/clubs)
  • Outstanding FCPS Collaborative Team (Collaborative team which must include at least one special education staff and/or related services provider)
  • Community Champion for Special Education (Greater Northern Virginia community member, organization, or business whose work directly or indirectly supports FCPS special education students in non-FCPS settings – eg, recreational activities, therapeutic services, legislative policy work).