Local Educators Honored as Part of National Possibilities in Action Partner Program

The School Psychologists from Topeka Public Schools announced that Kristin Bennett-O’Brien, Denise Custenborder, Gwen Elliott, Sandy Marshall, Cindy Stevens and Bill Wempe were honored with the Possibilities in Action Partner Award at the Topeka Public Schools November 15th school board meeting at Burnett Center.  Kristin Bennett-O’Brien is the Capital City Schools Principal, Denise Custenborder is a Ross Elementary Special Education Teacher, Cindy Stevens is the Special Education Department Chair and Teacher at Robinson Middle School, Officer Bill Wempe is the Student Resource Officer at Topeka West High School, Sandy Marshall is the Scott Elementary Counselor, and Gwen Elliott is the Pre-school Social Worker for Topeka Public Schools.

The Possibilities in Action Partner Program is part of the National Association of School Psychologists’ ongoing effort to help school psychologists promote children’s success in school and life, to improve collaboration within the school community, and to help highlight the education community’s exceptional efforts to educate and support the development of all children. School psychology partners are people who, either through their own efforts or by encouraging the efforts of others, make an exceptional difference in the lives of students and families.

In general, the Possibilities in Actions Partner award winners possess the following attributes:

• Extraordinary personal or professional dedication to improving outcomes for students
• Outstanding professional functioning and effectiveness
• Effective advocacy for public policy that supports needed services for children and families
• Commitment to effective collaboration with school psychologists and other student services staff
• Long-term dedication to advocacy on behalf of individual students