Thursday evening June 23rd, 2011 was “the most special night of the year,” proclaimed Pressley Ridge President & CEO Susanne Cole, and for good reason. It was the night Pressley Ridge recognized both outstanding front-line staff and, for the first time, supervisors from across the organization for their outstanding work with kids and families. Board members, executive leaders, program directors, and the families of the nominees gathered to honor those who were recognized as Teacher Counselors (T/Cs) of the month and supervisors of the quarter throughout the past fiscal year.

Following the celebratory dinner an inspirational and moving video was shown. Each of the sixteen honorees was featured, and each was highlighted with comments from co-workers, supervisors, kids and families. Susanne Cole, in her address to the audience, said, “the staff of Pressley Ridge make a difference in the lives of kids and families every day. They are a highly dedicated staff second to none in the social service industry, and it is a privilege to support and work with these men and women.”

Dozens of Pressley Ridge’s front-line staff and supervisors are nominated by their peers and program leadership to be recognized as one of the TCs of the month or supervisors of the quarter. The sixteen extraordinary individuals chosen exemplify the work that Pressley Ridge does day in and day out. Together they represent the quality, the diversity and the commitment of the other 1,200 Pressley Ridge staff.

The 2010-2011 Teacher Counselor Honorees are:

• Lori Webb – Day School, Pittsburgh, PA
• Amy Fiedler – School for the Deaf, Pittsburgh, PA
• Dave Jack – Day School, Pittsburgh, PA
• Michelle Cobb – Grant Gardens, Ona, WV
• Kathryn Gadd – Southwestern PA TFC, Uniontown, PA
• Jason Frola – Service Coordination, Pittsburgh, PA
• Jim Collins & Marcy Vaughan – Allegheny Co Family Based, Pittsburgh, PA
• Robert Weiler – White Oak, Walker, WV
• Monica Mehaffey – Home Places, Pittsburgh, PA
• Melissa Sodano – Allegheny County TFC, Pittsburgh, PA
• Lisa Hunt – Intensive Home Care, Hamilton, OH
• John Whisman – Grant Gardens, Ona, WV

The 2010-2011 Supervisors of the Quarter Honorees are:

• Amy McQuillan – School for the Deaf, Pittsburgh, PA
• Sue Kozak – Day School, Pittsburgh, PA
• Brian Elms – White Oak, Walker WV

From these 16 award recipients, a TC of the Year and a Supervisor of the Year is selected. The outstanding quality of this year’s group made the decisions especially difficult, but selections were finally made:

The Day School’s Lori Webb was selected as Pressley Ridge’s 2011 Teacher Counselor (T/C) of the year and the first recipient of the Agnes Buchanan Supervisor of the Year Award for Distinguished Service was Sue Kozak, also from the Day School.

Lori personifies the Re-ED spirit and the values of Pressley Ridge. Our children and families have benefited greatly from her passion and dedication. Lori truly exemplifies what a Teacher Counselor is. Her work with kids touches each Re-Education principle, which is at the core of Pressley Ridge’s services. Lori is always present at school with a bright smile and a positive attitude, and always ready to support a student, no matter how challenging, or a fellow teammate, no matter what the task.

Pressley Ridge supervisors are critical to the success of the organization and our work with children and families. Sue’s commitment to Pressley Ridge kids, families, and staff is readily apparent in her interactions with them and long after the workday is done. What really makes her an outstanding supervisor is her willingness to support her staff through both professional and personal crises. Her suggestions are always strength based and always made with the child or family’s best interest in mind. She is a mentor to her staff, and they trust her for guidance.

Susanne Cole, at the close of the evening, had this to say to the honorees, “Pressley Ridge’s greatest asset is the men and women who work here. You are appreciated and valued for what you do every day and because of the significant impact you have on the lives of the children and families you touch through your work”.