Special Education Foundation's Starfish Awards

About the Starfish Awards

The Starfish Award is reserved for individuals who have brought about significant change through seemingly small yet deeply meaningful actions. Ideal candidates for this honor exhibit the following qualities:

Consistently demonstrates unwavering compassion and kindness.
Leaves a remarkable imprint on the lives of students and families within the Special School District and the 22 partner districts in St. Louis County
Offers vital support during challenging circumstances.
Their actions generate a ripple effect of positivity, creating a nurturing environment for all.

The recipients of the Starfish Awards include one individual selected from each of the 7 subdistricts within the St. Louis County Public School System, as well as 1 individual from the Special School District schools and Central Office. Nominations include not only teachers but paraprofessionals, retired SSD employees, and administrative staff.

More awardees will be announced soon!

Community Starfish Awardees

Spirit of SEF Award - Laurie Williams

Laurie is one of the Special Education Foundation's founders, served on the SEF Board of Directors for decades, and continues as a Director Emerita. Among her many roles on the board, Laurie served as Chair of the board’s Program Committee and was an active member of the SEF Women Leaders. Laurie is a retired teacher and administrator in the Ritenour School District. Laurie’s leadership role with SEF and her work on the front lines of education make her the perfect recipient of the Spirit of SEF Starfish Award.
Community Starfish Award - Dr. Daniel Cuneo

Dr. Cuneo began his tenure on the Special School District Board of Education in 2000. Dr. Cuneo represents Subdistrict 2 on the SSD Board of Education, which includes the Affton, Bayless, Hancock Place, and Mehlville school districts. Cuneo was elected Board President in 2021 and again in 2024. He was elected Board Vice President in 2025. Before retiring, Dr. Cuneo conducted mental fitness and sanity evaluations for the judicial districts of Southern Illinois and, at times, for federal government agencies. He worked for the Illinois Department of Mental Health for 24 years, primarily at the Chester Mental Health Center, where he served as clinic director. A tireless advocate for the students served by the Special School District, Dr. Cuneo’s dedication to improving children's lives is remarkable.

The Inspiration Behind the Starfish Award

Powered by the Women Leaders

The Special Education Foundation's Women Leaders is an active women’s group committed to helping children and youth with disabilities. More specifically, to fund special projects that support students with disabilities served by the Special School District of St. Louis County. It was established in 2009 based on guests’ interests at a friend-raiser in how they could help.

The Special Education Foundation's Starfish Award recognizes the unsung heroes who may not seek the spotlight but, through their daily efforts, embody the belief that every small action can create waves of positive change in the world around us.

See the 2025 Starfish Award recipients here and view the photos from event on June 12, 2025 at The Reverie!

See the 2024 Starfish Award recipients here and view the photos from the event on June 13, 2024 at CITYPARK!

January 29, 2026

Women Leaders—Passion in Action for Students with Disabilities

byShannon Benedek

Together, the Women Leaders continue to invest in both innovative programs and exceptional people, ensuring students with disabilities receive the support, encouragement, and opportunities they deserve.

January 15, 2026

A Night of Impact— Celebrating the Starfish Awards at The Reverie

byTim Eby

The Starfish Awards recognize those extraordinary individuals—teachers, paraprofessionals, therapists, and community members—who go above and beyond to support students with disabilities. By hosting this event at a venue as prestigious as The Reverie, we aim to elevate these stories and show our honorees just how much their dedication is valued.

December 18, 2025

Final Week to Nominate a Starfish Award Candidate

byShannon Benedek

The final week to submit nominations for the 3rd Annual Starfish Awards is here, and we invite you to help us shine a light on those who go above and beyond for students with disabilities.

Starfish Awards