Do you know anyone who has made great strides this past year, shown exceptional professionalism or leadership, developed a new or innovative process or made a contribution to our field that has made a positive impact for our profession and/or the children we serve? If so, please consider your colleagues for the awards listed below.
2026 Nominations Schedule
- Honors nominations deadline of June 1, 2026.
- Committee on Honors will meet in August to review nominations and select this year's recipients.
- Award recipients will be notified in August.
- Recipients will be honored in a special way at the OSSPEAC Conference.
The 3 award categories are Honors of OSSPEAC, Founder’s Award, and Outstanding Service Award.
A short description of the award categories is below. We thank you in advance! If you have any questions, please contact Ellen Bonk at e@bonk.cc
Honors of OSSPEAC
This honor is awarded to a speech/language pathologist and /or educational audiologist who has worked in a school/educational setting and is currently an OSSPEAC member. This award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions through:
- Participation in/contribution to OSSPEAC
- Outstanding work as a clinician/supervisor
- Providing or initiating innovative programming
- Contribution to publications/literature/research
- Other areas of achievement deemed worthy of nomination
Current Winner 2025: Jessica Hoefler
Previous Winner 2024: Vicki Wade
Founders’ Award
This honor is awarded to up to two members in good standing who exemplify the mission of OSSPEAC, “Removing Communication Barriers for Ohio’s Children” will be honored. The speech/language pathologist and/or educational audiologist will have made an impact through service to their local school district or student(s) in their school district. The following factors are considered:
- Improvement of the life of students who have speech, language, and hearing needs
- Collaboration with district personnel, parents, and students
- Excellence in innovative contributions and programs to the work setting
- Professionalism
- Leadership at the local level
This award is presented by OSSPEAC in honor of the Founders’ of OSSPEAC.
Current Winner 2025: Pat Skidmore
Previous Winner 2024: Cara O'Flannigan
Kathleen D. Shelby Outstanding Service Award
This award is presented to an individual who has provided outstanding support to speech/language pathology and/or educational audiology services being provided in a school/educational setting. Recipients may include a classroom teacher, administrator, classroom assistant, educational interpreter, intervention specialist, occupational or physical therapist, counselor, social worker, parent, legislator, or member of another organization.
Current Winner 2025: Lindsey Verespej
Previous Winner 2024: Lori Hudson
PAST OSSPEAC AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Current OSSPEAC Award Winners:
The 2025 Honors of OSSPEAC was awarded to Jessica Hoefler
Jessica is in her 11th year as an educational audiologist at the Summit Educational Service Center, advocating for the needs of her students and providing individualized support to each student, family and district she serves. She has a passion for educating others about hearing loss and auditory processing, and their implications on literacy and classroom performance.
The 2025 Founder's Award was awarded to Audiologist Pat Skidmore
Pat has served as State Liason for the Educational Audiology Association for years and served on the Ohio Deaf Education Board. She is currently President Elect of OSSPEAC and also currently serves on the Community of Practice. Pat has demonstrated a passion for educational audiology and has consistently supported her colleagues every step of the way. She has made a lasting impact on all who have worked with her.
The 2025 Kathleen D. Shelby Outstanding Service Award was awarded to Lindsey Verespej
Lindsey is an incredible educator and advocate for her significant special needs population at Orange City Schools. She is known for her persistent and strong personality making sure her students receive everything they deserve within the public school. Lindsey truly encompasses an educator who displays outstanding support of speech and language services within the school setting.