Retiring Special Education Instructor Awarded at D153 Board Meeting

Gail Dodero, a retiring special education teacher at Winston Churchill School with over 30 years experience, was awarded the Jerry Morin Education Excellence Award during the April 11 Board of Education meeting.

Cece Coffey, principal of Churchill School, delivered a special, personal message in support of Dodero during last night’s meeting.

“I have known Gail as her colleague, as her supervisor and as the parent of one of her students,” Coffey said. “Gail is, by far, one of the most talented special education teachers that I have ever known.”

Coffey went on to acknowledge Dodero’s above-and-beyond teaching style as one of her most noteworthy contributions to the district.

“She goes so far beyond teaching curriculum,” Coffey said. “She teaches kids, who learn differently, exactly what each of them needs individually in order to reach their full potential.”

Coffey was not the only person in the room who’s life was touched by Dodero. Board Member Gale Gallagher says she also has a child who benefitted from her expertise.

“She just made all the difference in the world to my child,” Gallagher said. “It was remarkable and there is nobody like you. We are going to miss you.”

Board President Shelly Marks added her appreciation of Dodero’s service.

“One of the most remarkable things about what you do is that you advocate for those children, with their teachers and anybody who comes in contact with them that might not understand that they work differently,” Marks said. “And you advocate for the children with their parents too, who sometimes feel sucker punched, and you make it okay. For that, we are really grateful, because that’s what kids need.”

The award Dodero received is named after Jerry Morin, an exceptional board member of over 17 years. Four awards are distributed each year, one to each of the schools in the district, to honor excellence in teaching. 

“It’s nothing short of magic, what she does, with every kid,” said Coffey.

And it is for this reason that H-F Patch would like to congratulate Gail Dodero as this week’s remarkable resident.