This evening, the Special Education Foundation (SEF) celebrates 11 extraordinary individuals whose dedication, compassion, and commitment have made a lasting difference in the lives of students with disabilities. At the 2026 Starfish Awards celebration powered by SEF’s Women Leaders, we honor educators, paraprofessionals, social workers, administrators, and community leaders who embody the belief that one person can have a profound impact.
2026 Starfish Award Recipients
Karlon Bishop – Social Worker in the Parkway School District
Jennifer Corcoran – Speech & Language Pathologist in the Ladue School District
Jessica Klimpel – Teacher in the Webster Groves School District
Jennifer Paris– Instructional Coach in the Rockwood School District
Amanda Schroer – Teacher in the Hancock Place School District
Donald Stanley – Paraprofessional in the Jennigs School District
Lisa Thomas – Special Education Coordinator in the Ferguson-Florissant School District
Debbie Young – Paraprofessional at Ackerman in the Special School District
Dr. Daniel Cuneo - Vice President of the Special School District Board of Directors, Community Starfish Award
Adrienne Eaglin – Director of Family & Community Engagement in the Special School District, Leadership Starfish Award
Laurie Williams – Director Emerita of the Special Education Foundation, Spirit of SEF Starfish Award
Their efforts help students build confidence, achieve independence, and reach their full potential every day. We are honored to recognize their exceptional service and thank them for being the difference in the lives of so many students and families.
As we celebrate these remarkable honorees, there is another exciting way to support students with disabilities: the Starfish Awards Silent Auction.
Celebrate Our Starfish Honorees and Bid Before the Silent Auction Closes!
SEF’s inaugural Starfish Awards Silent Auction opened on June 5 and features an outstanding collection of experiences, sports memorabilia, dining adventures, entertainment packages, gift baskets, and more. Best of all, bidding is open to everyone—whether or not you are attending the Starfish Awards celebration.
If you haven’t already, getting started is easy. Download the Givi app on your smart device or register online from your desktop or laptop. Once registered, you can browse items, place bids, receive notifications when you've been outbid, and track your favorites throughout the auction.
From golf, pickleball, fine dining, and wine tastings to exciting getaways, start bidding before the auction closes on June 12 at 6:00 PM.
The auction remains open through Friday, June 12, at 6:00 p.m., giving supporters an extra day after the event to place their final bids. If you've already placed a bid, now is the time to check back and make sure you're still in the lead. If you haven't participated yet, there is still time to find a favorite item and join the fun.
Every win helps support the Special Education Foundation's mission of empowering students with disabilities through programs and opportunities that enrich their educational experiences and help them achieve greater independence.
Congratulations again to our 2026 Starfish Award recipients, and thank you to everyone participating in the silent auction to help create brighter futures for students with disabilities.
