Cotting School Educators Honored at MAAPS Spring Awards Celebration

Lexington, MA – Two Cotting School educators were the recipients of awards presented by the Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education Schools (MAAPS) as part of the MAAPS Spring Awards Celebration. The annual event celebrates special education teachers, clinicians, and school leaders from exceptional schools for exceptional students.

The Albert E. Treischman Memorial Award for Exceptional Direct Service to Children was presented to Amy Houghton, an occupational therapist (OT) and team leader at Cotting School in Lexington. The award acknowledges superior contributions to special needs children by a clinician, specialist, or childcare worker whose performance and achievement reflect the high principles of the profession. Houghton was nominated for her innovative use of assistive technology to ensure students are well-equipped to achieve their learning goals, inspirational leadership and exceptional service throughout her 30-year career at Cotting.

The Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Lola Piscopo, a special education teacher at the Cotting School. The award recognizes a classroom teacher who reflects the high standards and principles of the profession and works tirelessly to help students with special needs make progress and achieve success. Piscopo was nominated for her unwavering dedication to her students and co-workers, and her participation in numerous organizations throughout the disability community, including the Advisory Board of Empowering People for Inclusive Communities (EPIC), where she shares her knowledge and brings back new ideas to the school. As the recipient of Cotting School’s Augustus Thorndike Fellowship, she also helped develop a comprehensive transition curriculum for Cotting families and students.

The annual MAAPS awards draws nominations from among thousands of dedicated professionals serving students in special education schools across Massachusetts. Attendees represent the varied professional disciplines that provide services to special education students. The awards are determined by two independent selection committees that, coincidentally, selected two Cotting School educators as this year’s recipients during the selection process.

About Cotting School
Established in 1893 in Boston, Cotting School was America’s first school for children with physical disabilities. It has evolved to meet the unique needs of students with a broad spectrum of learning and communication disabilities, physical challenges and complex medical conditions. Located in Lexington since 1988, the school creates an inclusive community while providing an array of integrated services that foster academic achievement, skill development and social- emotional maturity. Its programs are designed to enable students to realize their highest potential both during and after their enrollment.

About MAAPS
The Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education Schools was founded in 1978 as a statewide association of schools dedicated to providing educational programs and services to students with special needs, particularly students from Massachusetts public school districts who require specialized education programs and services as guaranteed by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 766. MAAPS represents over 80 member schools serving approximately 6,800 children with special needs from Massachusetts and other states and countries.