The Ohio Association of Pupil Services Administrators (OAPSA) proudly announces that Angela Macwhinney is the recipient of The Dr. John Opperman Outstanding Achievement Award for 2020.   Mrs. Macwhinney is currently the Director of Special Education for Delaware City Schools and was formerly a Preschool Special Education and Early Childhood Supervisor for Lima City Schools.  

Angela was nominated by an OAPSA member, Dr. Benjamin R Jenkins, who worked closely with Mrs. Macwhinney for three years at Delaware City Schools. Two of those years they were fellow Special Education Supervisors and then the third year, Mrs. Macwhinney was his immediate supervisor.  Dr. Jenkins has continued to consult and collaborate with Mrs. Macwhinney over the past two years in his new role as Director of Special Education at West Clermont Local School District.    Dr. Jenkins describes Angela as thoughtful, kind, funny and most importantly, student centered.  He noted that Angie’s opinion is sought out very frequently and is always sound.   Dr. Jenkins explains that Angie has improved student services at Delaware City Schools and one of those improvements was that she created a centralized IEP training for all special education staff members.    A guiding principal of that training is doing the right thing for the district’s neediest students.  It was so well done that other districts, such as West Clermont Schools wanted to duplicate that training.

Angela has faithfully attended OAPSA conferences for years and always encourages her fellow pupil services administrators to join OAPSA which helps OAPSA to increase their membership.  Angela also always has thoughtful insights about the information that is presented at OAPSA’s conferences and shares her insights with her peers. In addition, in January 2020, when OAPSA needed to find 5 volunteers within a 24 hour time period to be a part of group that ODE was forming to discuss proposed changes to standards for the Implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention Supports and the use of Restraint and Seclusion, Angela was one of the first ones to unconditionally volunteer to represent OAPSA.

Jerry Stewart, Executive Director of Human and Material Resources at Delaware City Schools, indicates that Angie is a highly effective leader in both her district and community.  She cares deeply about all students and regularly goes the extra mile to make sure the students, their parents and staff have the materials, resources, supplies and professional development to be successful. She can be rarely found in the office as she thrives being in the schools, with the students and staff.  In addition, Angie serves the community as a member of the City of Delaware Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. 

OAPSA, which is Ohio’s Chapter for CASE (Council of Administrators of Special Education), established The Dr. John Opperman Outstanding Contribution Award in 2019 to annually recognize a member of OAPSA who had contributed greatly to the profession. OAPSA is proud to honor Angela Macwhinney for some well-deserved recognition for her outstanding contribution for her profession.  

I know you join with me in congratulating Angela!