On February 6, 2024, at the Alaska State Special Education Conference (ASSEC) held at the Hilton Hotel in Anchorage, Alaska, where thousands of Alaskan educators, school administrators, and paraprofessionals from across the state gather, Kagayanon teacher Dale Ebcas received the ‘Individual of the Year award for Special Education in Inclusive Practices’ from the Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education in the State of Alaska.

 

Despite numerous great nominees for this award across the state, Mr. Ebcas, a resident from Camp Evangelista, barangay Patag in Cagayan de Oro City, was chosen and awarded. He is a special education teacher at Joseph and Olinga Elementary School and has been teaching in the state of Alaska since 2020.

 

He has been actively involved in his school as the Unified Sports Coordinator for Special Olympics and coached students participating in statewide tournaments.

 

Mr. Ebcas said, "It is truly an honor to receive this recognition… This is a testament to the collective effort of the school district to establish an environment where everybody celebrates their differences and unique abilities.”

 

“Nakaka-proud lang bilang isang Filipino to receive this award, it is our way of saying to the world that we can create meaningful impact saan man sa mundo”, he added.

 

For the last 20 years, the Inclusive Practice Award has honored outstanding educators who worked hard to ensure students with disabilities have the opportunity for inclusive education with their peers as part of the general education curriculum and school community.

 

Whereas numerous educators deserve recognition for a multitude of reasons, the focus of this award is exclusively on exemplary inclusive practices.

 

Nominees for the Inclusive Practice Award should be individuals or teams who are currently educators including (but not limited to) general education teachers, special education teachers, related service providers, administrators, or other personnel.

 

Award winners are selected based on the demonstration of the following criteria:

• Involving parents as equal partners in their child’s education

• Promoting inclusive practices that allow students with disabilities to be included within the classroom, with peers and in the school community

• Modifying curricula or providing support services that enable access to the general curriculum, classroom or school community. (Marites Binongo- Balaong-Community Improvement Division)