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The 2026 R. A. Horn Award

This award is established by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to honor R. A. Horn, who served as Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction and devoted more than 60 years to improving the quality of life and learning for students with disabilities.

This year, through all the nominations, a senior at Indian Lake High School is being presented the R.A. Horn Award for outstanding achievements. The award is presented to Owen Kaser. Owen's resume reads like that of a student who refuses to see barriers. As a member of the National Honor Society, he has maintained a standard of academic excellence that demands discipline and intellectual curiosity. Owen's voice is, quite literally, the sound of Indian Lake High School pride. As a member of the Meistersingers and the Choir, he has honed his vocal talent. His past participation in the Improv Club exemplified his quick wit and rare social confidence among high school students. He approaches life with an infectiously positive attitude and an omnipresent smile. Most importantly, he models a level of kindness that serves as a blueprint for others. He treats everyone—regardless of their status or ability—with genuine love and compassion. Not only is Owen a true Laker, a dedicated scholar, and an extraordinary human being, but he is also the recipient of the 2026 Regional R.A. Horn Outstanding Student Award. Congratulations!

The 2026 Franklin B. Walter Award

The Franklin B. Walter Award is awarded every year by the State Support Teams in Ohio to a recipient who has made extraordinary contributions to the education of students with disabilities. This award is given in honor of the late Franklin B Walter, Superintendent of Public Instruction, with over 50 years of service as a teacher and administrator. Dr. Walter’s leadership is evident in many of Ohio’s quality educational initiatives and programs, including the development of the nation’s first statewide plan for children with disabilities.

In the field of education, administrators often seek the “triple threat”: an educator who possesses deep pedagogical knowledge, an unwavering work ethic, and a heart that beats for students' success. Intervention Specialist Darcie Jenkins does just that. In the world of special education, where the challenges can be complex and victories hard-won, Darcie approaches every student with a customized lens of possibility. Her ability to build trust with students who have often felt misunderstood by the traditional system is nothing short of extraordinary. Darcie’s character is her recent service as a mentor to three of our teachers working under temporary special education licenses. She has spent countless hours guiding teachers through the IEP process and has sat in those meetings, providing a safety net of expertise and professional confidence as the new teacher navigated difficult conversations with families and administrators. Her work ethic never allowed her to trade teaching or students for her mentorship with other professionals. Her students continued to show growth through her engaging content.

View all of our Professional Learning opportunities at the SST6 Google Site. Registration closes 24 hours before training or two weeks before a book study to send materials and links to participants.