AwardsCASE acknowledges the need to recognize outstanding individuals among the ranks of its members as well as individuals whose accomplishments have improved the field of special education. CASE has established awards for which nominations are annually solicited from the membership. In addition to recognizing deserving individuals, CASE also recognizes the significant work within our CASE Units (subdivisions). An individual may be nominated for one of the CASE awards by a CASE Member or CASE Subdivision. Nominations for CASE awards are submitted electronically. Nominations for our CASE awards are due by June 1, 2024.
Individual CASE AwardsThe Harrie M. Selznick CASE Distinguished Service Award was instituted to recognize individuals who have been career-long leaders in the administration of special education programs. The intended recipients of the award are individuals who have made significant contributions to the field over extended professional careers. The Harrie M. Selznick Award is the highest CASE honor, accompanied by a cash award. The award is named after Harrie M. Selznick, the first Executive Director of the Council of Administrators of Special Education, a post he held from 1973-1983. He served CASE in many roles throughout his long, distinguished career. Under Dr. Selznick's leadership, CASE became incorporated as a professional education association and grew from 223 members to 3600, while its subdivisions grew from none to 28. Under Dr. Selznick's leadership, CASE was first consulted at the federal level for input on national public policy in the U.S. The number of persons touched by Dr. Selznick's personal attention regarding professional assistance is beyond estimation. His influence is still felt today through a vibrant CASE organization, which would have made him proud. CASE honors him by naming the most prestigious award after him. The Outstanding Administrator of Special Education Award was instituted to recognize individuals who make significant professional contributions to leadership behavior and field practice in administering programs for students with disabilities and/or who are gifted. The Outstanding Service to CASE Award was instituted to recognize individuals who contributed significantly to the organization. Recipients should have a history of contributions to CASE that resulted in a positive and significant impact on the organization's work. This award is not necessarily given on an annual basis. Nominees may or may not be current members of CASE. The Early Career Special Education Administrator Award will be presented to a Special Education Administrator who is a member of CASE and in her/his first five years administering special education programs and/or services, and who exemplifies CASE's ethics, values, and standards.
2024 Individual Award Winners
Outstanding Service to CASE Award
Dr. Zabrina Cannady (pictured), the Director of Professional Learning for the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), was honored with the Outstanding Service to CASE Award. With a 30-year career in education, she has held roles such as program specialist, coordinator, director of student services, and assistant superintendent. Dr. Cannady's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Education in Special Education, a Master in Family Services, an Education Specialist in Special Education, and an Education Doctorate in Educational Administration. She also served in the United States Air Force for twelve years. As a seasoned presenter, Dr. Cannady has shared her expertise on student services at local, state, and national conferences. Her professional affiliations encompass the Georgia Council of Administrators of Special Education (G-CASE), the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders (GAEL), the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). In 2023, she received the Georgia-CASE Lillie Moncos Outstanding Special Education Administrator Award. Dr. Cannady and her husband, Chris, reside in Warner Robins, Georgia. They enjoy traveling, attending concerts, and supporting Georgia Bulldogs football and Atlanta Braves baseball. Married for over 31 years, and have four amazing sons. Harrie M. Selznick Distinguished Service Award
Eric completed advance coursework in evaluation measurement, and research design at Western Michigan University. He specializes in leadership development, educational policy, and identifying high leverage practices that can be utilized to improve student outcomes. Eric was the recipient of the coveted MAASE Batten Award in 2014 and the most prestigious MAASE honor, the Beekman Award in 2020. Outstanding Administrator of Special Education Award
She is one of the founding members of AZCASE's Special Education Director's Academy (SEDA). This academy is dedicated to supporting new and aspiring special education administrators. Tina was instrumental in the creation of this initiative and the implementation and refinement of it over the last seven years. She has been pivotal in raising up the next generation of special education administrators in Arizona. Tina was honored with the 2024 Laura Ganoung Award from AZCASE. Her visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and profound impact make her exceptionally deserving of the CASE Outstanding Administrator in Special Education Award. Early Career Special Education Administrator Award
Heather has greatly impacted the NTDSE programs, member district programs, students, and parents/families. She successfully assists in keeping students in their home school by providing training to staff and implementing solid behavior plans. She developed a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) program that has trained 46 paraprofessionals as RBTs. She created a Paraprofessional Bootcamp with evidence-based practices to train new paraprofessionals in the Cooperative. Heather is active in IAASE and was recognized with their Trailblazer Award. She is an outstanding special education leader and CASE is proud to honor her with our Early Career Award. |
Eric Hoppstock (pictured) is the 2024 Harrie M. Selznick Distinguished Service Award recipient. He currently serves as the Superintendent at the Berrien Regional Education Service Agency, serving 14 K-12 districts reaching approximately 25,000 students. Prior to his superintendency, Eric served as a special education director, supervisor, compliance officer, and school psychologist. He has served on various committees influencing special education teacher certification and legislative practices influencing the field of special education in Michigan. His involvement continues even in his role as Superintendent. Eric also served and continues to serve on numerous local, state, and national Executive Boards related to special education and education as a whole. He currently serves as the Chair of the Unit Development Committee for the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE), Treasurer for Talent Together (statewide consortium for teacher registered apprenticeships), and as a member of the Southwest Michigan Strategic Leadership Council. 
The Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) announces Tina Kauffman (pictured) as the 2024 Outstanding Administrator of Special Education Award recipient. Tina is the Exceptional Student Services Director at Littleton Elementary School District in Avondale, Arizona. She has positively influenced the field of special education administration through multiple initiatives and programs, leading to long-term positive impact for individuals with disabilities. Tina is currently the president of AZCASE and has a long history of serving the organization. She is passionate about and committed to serving special educators and administrators to the benefit of students with disabilities and their families. She works tirelessly to build connections between local educators, administrators, lawmakers, lawyers, and the Department of Education to protect students and ensure that all stakeholders are communicating and collaborating to support students with disabilities.
The Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) announces Heather Lane (pictured) as the 2024 Early Career Special Education Award recipient. Heather has been in education for 15 years. She began her career as a special education teacher in Chicago Public Schools. She quickly saw a need for advanced education in the area of behavior due to what she was seeing in the field. She received her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis and became a BCBA. Heather did not stop there. She also received her Masters in Administration and completed her Director of Special Education endorsement. Additionally, she is pursuing a Masters to be certified as a Chief School Business Official. Clearly, education is a priority. However, it is more directly related to how she can have the biggest impact on the students and community she serves. This is evident by the work she does in the Niles Township (IL) District for Special Education (NTDSE), where she worked as an Instruction and Behavior coach and now as an administrator.