Heartland AEA 11

6500 Corporate Dr.

Johnston, IA 50131-1603

http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us

10/15/03

Contacts:

Bonnie Jackson, Heartland AEA 11, (712) 792-3102

Steve Jones, Heartland AEA 11, (515) 270-9030 ext. 4317, sjones@aea11.k12.ia.us

JOHNSTON, Iowa – Bonnie Jackson, a speech-language pathologist at Heartland Area Education Agency’s Carroll office, has received the Stephen Tsai Award for Excellence in Education from the Autism Society of Iowa.

The annual award recognizes Jackson’s contributions to autism education in Iowa and the positive impacts she has had on students. She was nominated for the award by Carroll residents Mark and Pam Beardmore, whose daughter receives communication services from Jackson and other educators. Jackson joined Heartland AEA when the agency opened in 1975, and she has worked at the AEA all but four years.

Stephen Tsai is a 29-year-old man with autism who received special education as a youth in the Iowa City area. Tsai’s parents established the award to recognize the efforts of autism educators.

Heartland AEA provides educational services and programs to 55 school districts and 32 accredited private schools in 11 central Iowa counties.

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Note: Tsai is pronounced "Cy."