I am honored to nominate Ms. Olivia Scott for this award. As the Special Education and IEP Coordinator at Audubon, she exemplifies what excellent teaching and student advocacy look like. My son Freddy has dyslexia, dysgraphia, and ADHD. While he is bright, curious, and deeply engaged with his community, reading and written expression have always required tremendous effort from him. Over time, those challenges began to affect his confidence, especially when he struggled to read aloud in class and felt self-conscious about it. Ms. Scott stepped in at exactly the moment he needed support. Of course she ensures that Freddy’s accommodations are implemented through his IEP, but what makes Ms. Scott exceptional is how far beyond that responsibility she goes. She works patiently with Freddy on reading and writing, helping him build the skills and strategies he needs to succeed. She has also supported him with math, particularly in 8th grade where so many problems rely heavily on reading comprehension. She meets him where he is and helps him move forward step by step. Just as important, Ms. Scott has helped restore Freddy’s confidence as a learner. This year, with her encouragement and support, Freddy has truly come out of his shell academically. His grades have improved significantly and he is now on the honor roll. Even more meaningful is the shift in how he sees himself. He no longer feels defined by his challenges. Instead, he approaches learning with determination and pride. One example that captures this transformation is Freddy’s decision to apply to give the 8th grade graduation speech. Writing and organizing ideas is particularly challenging for him because of his dysgraphia. With Ms. Scott’s support and encouragement, he pushed himself to try anyway. He ultimately won the selection and will be delivering the speech at graduation. That moment reflects not only Freddy’s growth, but the kind of educator Ms. Scott is. She sees her students as individuals. She recognizes their strengths, supports them through their challenges, and helps them believe in their own potential. Her patience, commitment, and genuine care have made a lasting impact on my son. Ms. Olivia Scott represents the very best of what teaching can be, and our family is deeply grateful for the role she has played in Freddy’s growth and confidence.