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A Fairfax County fifth grader who spent more than 190 hours making 75 3D-printed fidget toys was among the students, educators, staff members and volunteers honored at the 2026 Special Education PTA Awards Ceremony.
Devansh Saraff, a Navy Elementary School student, received an Outstanding Student award after donating the toys to students at Kilmer Center.
The annual ceremony recognizes people and programs supporting students with disabilities and their families throughout Fairfax County Public Schools.
Katherine Charlotte “Casey” McLellan of Lees Corner Elementary School was named Elementary Educator of the Year. Parents praised her commitment to learning about less common diagnoses affecting her students, including PANDAS and selective mutism. She was also recognized for emphasizing trauma-informed approaches to helping those children.
Stephanie Curb, a special educator at Hunt Valley Elementary School, received the Volunteer of the Year award for years of behind-the-scenes work moderating SEPTA’s Facebook discussion group, which has more than 3,000 members.
The School Age Child Care team at Hunters Woods was named a Community Champion. The team developed a creative, collaborative and developmentally appropriate approach to easing end-of-day transitions for a neurodivergent student who was socially exhausted.
During the ceremony, Representative James Walkinshaw discussed the importance of disability advocacy and compared the work being done today with the Disability Civil Rights Movement.
The event also showcased transition programs such as the Davis Center. Students from the center prepared cookie platters for attendees as part of the program’s catering services.
SEPTA also organized a food drive for Cedar Lane School’s food pantry, collecting essential resources for local families.
Additional 2026 award recipients
Avi Levy, a PAC student, received the Reflections Silver Award of Excellence. Ben Smith of Edison High School earned the Reflections Bronze Award of Merit.
Reema Patel and Sheel Patel of Langley High School received the Abbie Bachmore Memorial Award for students most supportive of inclusion.
Other Community Champion for Special Education honorees were Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services and Scott Elliott, a music instructor with SPUR Band.
Jenna Cook and Kathryn Guard of Glen Forest Elementary School were recognized for the Experiential Autism Education Program, named Outstanding Inclusive FCPS Program.
Becky Timm of Hunters Woods Elementary School and Eric Kopacz of Hunt Valley Elementary School received Outstanding Elementary Administrator awards. Jae Lee of Annandale High School was named Outstanding Secondary Administrator.
James Racine of Hunters Woods Elementary School received the Outstanding Support Staff award. Evelyn Harocopos, an educational specialist at Pimmit Hills Early Childhood Center, was honored as Outstanding Central Office Staff.
Cara Chaapel of Herndon Elementary School and Anne Hollis of Union Mill Elementary School received Outstanding Co-Curricular Staff awards.
Cathy Adames, Laura Cerda and Anice Denton of Fox Mill Elementary School were named the Outstanding Collaborative Team.
Courtney Kim of Hunters Woods Elementary School and Beth Beal of Laurel Ridge Elementary School received Outstanding Elementary General Educator awards. Alina Jimenez Rosa of Chantilly High School was honored as Outstanding Secondary General Educator.
Megan Pitts of Woodson Elementary School and Stephanie Schauder of Hunters Woods Elementary School were recognized as Outstanding Related Services Providers.
Kely Herrera of Rolling Valley Elementary School and Samina Butt of Irving Middle School received Outstanding Instructional Support Staff awards.
Claire Soyeon Lee and Malika Bougria, both of Pimmit Hills Early Childhood Center, were honored as Outstanding Preschool Special Educators.
The Mark Stewart Memorial Award for Outstanding Elementary Special Educator went to Patricia Rothweiler of Stratford Landing Elementary School, Larissa Miller Pullam of Silverbrook Elementary School, Colleen O’Carroll of Rolling Valley Elementary School and Liz Smith of Aldrin Elementary School.
Jason Collazo of Quander Road Center and Jan Fisher of Out of School Support’s homebound program received Outstanding Secondary Special Educator awards.
Liz Busch of Cardinal Forest Elementary School was named Preschool Educator of the Year. Nia Ravenstahl of South Lakes High School received the Secondary Educator of the Year award.
SEPTA is affiliated with the state and national PTA organizations and supports students receiving special education services, students with disabilities and their families.