Fred Swanson, Special Education Teacher at West High school was presented with the Oliver P. Kolstoe Award at the National Council for Exceptional Children Conference in Louisville on April 20.

This award is a national award presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the field of Career Development and Transition through means other than direct classroom instruction. It is given to an individual that exhibits exemplary work in the area of Transition for students with disabilities.

Fred was recognized for his outstanding work in the Madison community where he analyzes existing job descriptions and "carves" out tasks that don't fit with the educational or salary levels of area employers' current employees. MMSD students then are engaged in necessary work that frees up other employees to do high order tasks.

The students, employers and the school are working toward the students being maximally employed and maximally independent in jobs they've chosen. The award is named in recognition of Oliver P. Kolstoe, a DCDT (Division on Career Development & Transition) founding member and past president whose early research and publications significantly shaped the field of transition.

Fred Swanson receiving the Kolstoe Award from Donna Wandry, past president, Division on Career Development and Transition, a division of the Council for Exceptional Children. Fred has been a member of the CEC since college.