From left to right: PAIU executive director Thomas Gluck, Dr. Jacalyn Auris and CCIU executive director Dr. Joseph O’Brien.
DOWNINGTOWN – Advocate. Passionate. Visionary. Inspirational.
These are all words used to describe Dr. Jacalyn Auris, the recipient of the 2016 Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Unit’s (PAIU) Gary L. Miller Distinguished Service Award. The award honors intermediate unit employees who exemplify dedication and leadership.
Auris was nominated for the Gary L. Miller award for her work advocating for special education services and programs in Chester County and across the Commonwealth where she has worked for the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) for over 25 years, currently as the director of Student Services. She oversees more than 125 special education programs for preschool, school-age and adult students.
“Dr. Auris is an exceptional leader within the CCIU and across the Commonwealth. She tirelessly advocates for the welfare of students, many of whom may not be able to advocate for themselves,” said Dr. Joseph O’Brien, the executive director of the CCIU. “She leads with enthusiasm and confidence, even in challenging circumstances. She is truly deserving of this honor from PAIU.”
“To me, this is an award shared with the entire CCIU,” said Auris. “I work with a large team of people who advise, mentor and assist me in carrying out ideas and putting the needs of our students first.”
Putting students first has been a hallmark of Auris’s career. She began working in the field as a special education classroom teacher where she worked with children with severe emotional, social, cognitive and physical disabilities. Auris quickly became a departmental leader, and then advanced into an administrative career. She served as assistant principal of the CCIU’s Child and Career Development Center (CCDC), as a special education supervisor for autism programs, as assistant director of Student Services and, in 2009, became the division director.
“Auris’s time in the classroom developed in her a passion to ensure that all children were treated with dignity and respect,” said Dr. Susan Mateka, principal of the CCDC. “She left her first love – teaching – to pursue an administrative career when she realized that she could impact the lives of children throughout the state.”
And she has.
As one of the top educational leaders in the field of special education services, Auris is involved with numerous statewide projects, committees and advocacy groups. She serves as a spokesperson for CCIU, PAIU and advocates for students with physical, mental, behavioral and emotional disabilities and their families.
Most recently, Auris has been an advocate for Early Intervention. Early Intervention consists of a variety of services and supports designed to help children ages birth-to-5 years old who have developmental delays. Chester County offers Early Intervention services for children ages birth-to-3 years old and the CCIU offers Early Intervention for children ages 3-to-5 years old. Early Intervention services are provided at no charge for eligible children. Families contact Early Intervention services directly, often upon recommendations from physicians, specialists or other caregivers. Early Intervention screenings are recommended as early as possible in a child’s development.
“Research is clear that the sooner learning challenges are identified and interventions put into place, the more likely a child will enter school kindergarten ready,” said Auris. “We have so many opportunities with these young learners to intervene and remediate developmental delays so students are as successful as possible.”
The Gary L. Miller Distinguished Service Award was named after an educator and outstanding leader who worked for the Midwestern Intermediate Unit (IU IV) and served as president of PAIU and council member of the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA). “The contributions made by Dr. Miller had a profound impact on educational initiatives in the Commonwealth,” states the award application. It is in that spirit that a recipient is selected annually.
Dr. Jacalyn Auris embodies these ideals. “Her entrepreneurial spirit, interpersonal leadership style and ability to think outside the box exemplify the qualities so vital to the success of intermediate units in the 21st century,” said Sam Ewing, assistant director of Student Services. “Jackie is an inspirational leader who believes that the services intermediate units provide are essential to public education. Throughout her career, she has modeled the values and ideals that serve as the foundation for the Gary L. Miller Award.”
For more information:
- For more information about Early Intervention contact 1-800-692-1100, ext. 5948, or 610-344-5948, ext. 5949, for Early Intervention (birth-through-three), or 484-237-5150 (3-to-5 years). Visit http://www.cciu.org/page/476 for an online referral form.
