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December 28, 2009

Fort Gibson teacher honored for advocacy

Candace Cothern, who has taught special education at Fort Gibson Public Schools for more than 30 years is one of 10 Oklahomans honored at a recent awards event in Tulsa.

Advocacy Awards were presented by the Tulsa Advocates for the Rights of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities.

Cothern was presented the Advocate — Educator of the Year Award for her “significant and long-term commitment to advocating for children with developmental disabilities,” according to a media release.

Cothern has worked with children of all ages and diagnosis, the release states.

“She retired three years ago but felt so passionate about working directly with children that she decided to continue to work full time at Fort Gibson Public Schools,” the release states.

“She has trained numerous paraprofessionals to incorporate one-on-one training for children with autism while keeping them included in the public school system.”

She also was cited for serving as a teacher mentor on the needs of students with developmental disabilities.

Cothern has volunteered with the Oklahoma Special Olympics for years and spends her summers attending conference so she can be educated on the newest programs and techniques of assisting children with disabilites.

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