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CHS Spanish Teacher Natalie Reed Wins Patricia J. Creegan Award for Inclusion

CHS Spanish Teacher Natalie Reed Wins Patricia J. Creegan Award for Inclusion
  • 2024-2025 Spotlights

Cheltenham High School Spanish teacher Natalie Reed (right) has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Patricia J. Creegan Award from Pennsylvania’s  Education for All Coalition (PEAC). She received the award at PEAC’s Eastern Pennsylvania Inclusion Conference on Saturday, October 19.

“I was honored and genuinely grateful to even be nominated for this award,” said Reed, the World Languages chair who’s been with the school district for 18 years. “When I found out I was being considered, my heart filled with true joy, not for the potential recognition that I know comes with it, but because being considered meant that I am making an impact on the lives of students. An educator whose passion for this profession is as strong as mine knows that there is no greater reward. I make a practice out of meeting every single student where they are at, wherever that may be. I treat everyone who comes through my classroom door as my equal, and I make sure that they know that I see them as real people who I love, support and believe in.”

The Patricia J. Creegan Award is given annually in honor of the life and work of its namesake, a founding member of Pennsylvania’s Education for All Coalition. Patricia J. Creegan, M.S.W., was a passionate advocate for the true inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life as well as an educator, family member, and friend. “Trish” lived her life helping others as well as teaching people to help others, but sadly her life was cut short in 2009 after a valiant fight against cancer. PEAC established the Creegan Award to encourage the continuation of her work. The award is given annually to an education professional who demonstrates outstanding commitment to inclusive education. The winner of the Creegan Award receives a certificate, an honorarium, and a one year PEAC membership.

During the 2023-24 school year, Ms. Reed was the Spanish I instructor for two of Special Education teacher Samantha Sakovics’ struggling students. When the second semester started, both of these students were enrolled in Ms. Reed’s Spanish I class, and “at that point things changed dramatically for both students, in different and personal ways,” Sakovics wrote in her nomination letter. “As a world language teacher, Ms. Reed is tasked with seeing a different group of students every other day, meaning she has both less face time with each class than other majors and twice as many students to teach, and yet, her attention to the individual needs of her students does not reflect this challenge.” 

“World languages can be a particular area of challenge for some students with disabilities,” said Rebecca Condict, the CSD parent and member of the Special Education Alliance of Cheltenham who nominated Reed, “and Ms. Reed has been great about collaborating with colleagues and parents/guardians to find creative individualized ways to support students and help them find success in this space. She doesn’t just support them academically but helps them to develop a positive image of themselves as a learner and feel a sense of belonging in the world languages classroom which is hugely important.”

The most recent recipients of the award are Dr. Maria Agnew from Holy Family University and Dr. Steven Yanni, then-superintendent of Upper Dublin School District.

Photo (l to r): Dr. Geralyn Arango, CHS parent Rebecca Condict and Natalie Reed.

  • Cheltenham High School
  • Cheltenham School District