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 2026 Honors of OSSPEAC was awarded to Courtney Kalman
Courtney is a speech language pathologist at Harrison Elementary School with Marion City Schools. She is known as a therapist that goes above and beyond for her students and continually makes a positive impact on their lives. Courtney collaborates closely with teachers, support staff, related service providers, parents and district personnel. With a reputation as an excellent innovator and contributor, Courtney is a leader among her colleagues. Those that work with Courtney find her to be an inspiration.
The 2026 Founder's Award was awarded to Christine Loddo Bricker
Christine is a natural collaborator who actively builds and maintains strong connections with district personnel, families and professional networks. Christine has been a dedicated supporter of OSSPEAC and is actively involved in the Community of Practice. Her work has addressed critical service gaps by facilitating follow-up diagnostics after newborn hearing screenings and supporting auditory training for cochlear implant recipients. Her leadership has resulted in donation of classroom amplification systems to local schools and establishment of an assistive technology lending library. Christine is a dedicated professional, an innovative problem-solver and a compassionate leader whose work has made a lasting difference in the lives of students, families and colleagues alike.