Scioto County Board of Developmental Disabilities honors Stephanie Childers

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By Joseph Pratt

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It isn’t too often that a movement made by a governing board is unanimous and requires very little debate on whether or not to to accept or reject a motion. This was the case at a recent Scioto County Board of Developmental Disabilities (SCBDD), however, when the board made the unanimous decision to adopt a proclamation recognizing the work and contributions of the late Stephanie Childers.

Childers passed away Aug.t 16, due to complications caused by cancer. Childers was serving on the SCBDD Board of Directors when she passed away, where she had been involved for a decade. She joined the board, bringing with her a long history in education.

Stephanie was a dedicated educator to children with disabilities. After graduating from Minford High, she attended Rio Grande University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She attended graduate studies at the University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, and Ohio University for special education and finished her master’s degree at Xavier University. Throughout her teaching career, she furthered her education by attending several post graduate studies at several universities.

Childers began her teaching career in 1967, at Cedar Cliff Schools in Cedarville, Ohio. She worked at various schools and educational institutions afterward.

Childers was also part of several memberships, boards and associations, including the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, International Reading Association, Southern Ohio Mental Health Association, Council for Exceptional Children, Alpha Delta Kappa – National Honorary for Women Educators, Who’s Who American Colleges and Universities, she was a board member of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Adams, Lawrence and Scioto Counties, Southern Ohio Task Force on Domestic Violence, and University of Rio Grande Alumni Association.

Throughout her career, Childers penned numerous grants and presentations, which are still used in the Ohio education system. She was also honored with many awards, including the “Amy Allen Award” for “Outstanding Teaching Excellence,” the Wheelersburg PTO “Distinguished Citizen Award,” was listed in Who’s Who of Women Educators, was a post member of the Ohio Superintendents Advisory Council on Vocational Handicapped and was awarded the “American Council on Rural Special Education” and “National Exemplary Program Award.” In 2014, Childers was also awarded the “Friend of Children Award” by Shawnee State University.

In part, the proclamation states: “We, the Scioto County Board of Developmental Disabilities, do hereby proclaim our gratitude and admiration for a devoted educator, a dedicated board member and a friend to the people served by this Board and children everywhere.

“We further proclaim that we will continue her work in whatever way we can, to ensure that the educational needs of children with multiple disabilities are met now and in the years to come.”

Childers joined the SCBDD family in January of 2005, filling an unfinished term. She was subsequently appointed to three additional four-year terms. She was in the middle of the final term when she died.

“Stephanie was a true friend to our program and never wavered in her commitment as a Board member, even when she was ill,” Superintendent Julie Monroe said. “She will be dearly missed.”

Reach Joseph Pratt at 740-353-3101, ext. 1932, or by Twitter @JosephPratt03.

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