Nominate an outstanding special educator

8/12/2026

Nominations open to recognize leadership in special education

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is seeking nominations for the 2026 Kathe Shelby Leadership Award, which recognizes outstanding leadership by a special educator in Ohio. The nomination deadline is Monday, Aug. 31.

The Department will present the award in November during OCALICONLINE 2026, the premier autism and disabilities conference.

Award nominees should meet the following criteria:

• Has a minimum of 15 years of full-time experience in special education
• Currently employed by a district or community school
• Uses knowledge of effective programming for students with disabilities
• Uses knowledge of special education law to benefit students with disabilities
• Demonstrates exceptional and effective skills in improving the quality of special education programming for Ohio's students
• Is a true champion of special education by displaying initiative and influencing students, and showing respect toward students with special needs, their parents, special and general education teachers, related services personnel, and school administrators

Visit the OCALICONLINE awards webpage for more information or to submit a nomination. The winner receives complimentary registration to OCALICONLINE 2026.

The award honors the late Kathe Shelby, director of the Department’s Office for Exceptional Children from 2008-2011.