Argos Community Elementary School Applied Skills Teacher Chris Thompson received the PATINS Project Starfish Award Thursday, January 26. Thompson was nominated by PATINS Specialist Lisa Benfield.
The PATINS Project is a state-wide technical assistance network that connects Indiana’s local education agencies (LEAs) to accessible educational materials, assistive technology, professional development, and technical support through the Indiana Departments of Education and Administration. Their mission is to help to support Indiana public schools in creating and sustaining an equitable learning environment for every student through universally designed access, engagement, and participation.
Argos Community School Corporation officials say the award was given to Thompson for her drive to give every student their own voice. The award is presented to educators who go above and beyond to meet the needs of all of their students.
Thompson recently led a grant process to receive two communication devices for two specific students in her classroom as a way to achieve accessibility for all students. In a press release, Thompson stated that she has two non-verbal students in her classroom and the newly acquired devices through PATINS helped give those students a voice.
Thompson has been with Argos for five years and an educator for 19 years. She serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade with a range of abilities. She is one of only 17 other Indiana public school educators to receive the Starfish Award since its inception nearly seven years ago.
