The Patricia J. Creegan Award
2023 Dr. Maria Agnew, Holy Family University
Pictured left to right: Linda Carmoan-Bell, PEAC President, and 2023 Patricia J. Creegan Award winner, Dr. Maria Agnew from Holy Family University.
The Patricia J. Creegan Award is given annually in honor of the life and work of its namesake, a founding member of Pennsylvania’s Education for All Coalition. Patricia J. Creegan, M.S.W., was a passionate advocate for the true inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life as well as an educator, family member, and friend. “Trish” lived her life helping others as well as teaching people to help others, but sadly her life was cut short in 2009 after a valiant fight against cancer. PEAC established the Creegan Award to encourage the continuation of her work. The Award is given annually to an education professional (teacher, administrator, university professor, related service personnel, etc.) who demonstrates outstanding commitment to inclusive education.The winner of the Creegan Award receives a certificate, an honorarium, and a one year PEAC membership. The award ceremony is held at PEAC’s Annual Membership Meeting.
Past Creegan Award winners:
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2023 Dr. Maria Agnew, Holy Family University
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2022 Dr. Steven Yanni, Superintendent of Upper Dublin School District
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2019 Titania Boddie
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2018 Shelly A. Mieczkowski
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2017 Dr. Claire Ann Sullivan
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2016 Amy McCann, Friends School Haverford
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2015 Jerry G. Petroff, Ph.D, The College of New Jersey
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2014 Jessica Miller, Manheim Township School District
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2013 Dr. Brian Berry, Ph.D, Holy Family University
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2012 Meredith Adams, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District
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2011: Dr. Graciela Slesaransky-Poe, Arcadia University
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2010: Leah M. Kostelac, Washington Heights Elementary School, West Shore School District
Decision Criteria
Nominees for the award are expected to demonstrate excellence and originality in promoting inclusive education, as evidenced by:
- Knowledge and incorporation of best practices in inclusive education;
- Continuous efforts to evaluate and improve his or her own work in inclusive education;
- Effective collaborative relationships with colleagues;
- Effective and nurturing relationships with students; and
- Effective collaborative relationships with families.
Nomination Procedures
An individual may be nominated each academic year for consideration for the Patricia J. Creegan Award. Nominees not selected for the award may be re-nominated in subsequent years.
If a PEAC board member wishes to nominate a professional, that board member may not be part of the review committee. Nominees may not be PEAC board members.
Nomination Package
Please submit all the following for consideration for the Patricia J. Creegan Award:
- A letter of nomination written by the individual(s) nominating the candidate. The letter of nomination should speak to each of the criteria previously stated;
- The nominee’s resume/vita; and
- At least one testimonial and/or letter of recommendation from a family member of an individual with a disability, a student with a disability, and/or a colleague who works with the nominee.
- Timeline
The schedule for submitting and reviewing nominations is as follows:
- September 2024: An area-wide announcement is made for the solicitation of nominations for the Patricia J. Creegan Award.
- October 1, 2024: Nomination packets are due to PEAC. Electronic submissions only.
- Email: Dr. Geralyn Arango, Search Chair, [email protected]
- October 7, 2024: The Patricia J. Creegan Award Committee conducts its review, and the awardee is informed.
- October 19, 2024: The Patricia J. Creegan Award is presented to the awardee at PEAC’s Inclusion Conference on October 19, 2024 in Lower Merion School District’s, Black Rock Middle School, 1860 Montgomery Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085,
Sustaining the Patricia J. Creegan Award through GoFundMe–>The Patricia J. Creegan Memorial Fund
The Patricia J. Creegan Memorial Fund is designed to ensure the continued offering of the Patricia J. Creegan Award to K-12 and postsecondary individuals who foster successful inclusive education. Please consider making a contribution to the Patricia J. Creegan Memorial Fund of any amount