Marvin Beekman Award

The Beekman Award is MAASE's preeminent award presented annually at our Summer Institute event.

This award honors a candidate who has:

• Excelled in their education, experience, current administrative responsibilities
• Received local honors and special recognition
• Demonstrated leadership in organizational memberships
• Been actively involved in community activities
• Other distinguishing characteristics. 

Do you know someone who is worthy? If so, please complete the nomination form linked in the button below. 

Nomination Form

Beekman Award Winner

Nominees for the Beekman Award must:

• Be a special education administrator at the local, regional, or state level.
• Have made significant contributions on behalf of special education.
• Have demonstrated quality service in the field of special education.
• Have exhibited integrity in his/her daily work and relationships.
• Have diverse involvement in both the community and educational arenas.
• Have made contributions to special education with statewide significance.
• Have made significant contributions to MAASE.
• Have proven him or herself to be a visionary.
• Possess personal attributes that make him/her an outstanding representative of the Beekman Award.

2024 Beekman Award Winner

Rachel Fuerer, Director of Special Education, Eastern Upper Peninsula ISD

Award presentation by Lauren Eardley, MAASE President:

This year, I have the honor of recognizing the nominee with the highest score. The 2024 Beekman Award Winner has been characterized with the following words: Innovative, visionary, passionate, dedicated, collaborative, and a strong advocate for change. This year’s recipient has profoundly impacted special education by prioritizing top-notch resources and professional development for the community, ensuring educators are well-prepared to support their students. 

They are a driving force in the field, persistently working to make meaningful changes, even when it means challenging the status quo to address critical needs. Known for their creative thinking and proactive approach, this individual is often ahead of trends, demonstrating cutting-edge ideas. Notably, they have pioneered alternative routes for teacher certification to attract talent to special education and established a comprehensive system in their community to enhance mental health and safety for students.

Are you ready for more details?

• This individual brings over 20 years of experience in special education.

• They have taught graduate-level courses and authored several professional publications and position papers. 

• They are an active member of professional organizations such as MAASE, MCEC, MAISA, and SEILN.

• In their extensive involvement with MAASE, they have served on the board of directors and held key roles including Chair of the MAASE Legislative Action Seminar and Co-chair of the Finance and Legislation Committee, where they have significantly influenced the organization’s priorities. 

• They have also worked on state-level initiatives related to seclusion and restraint.

• Additionally, this individual is a core team member of OPTIMISE, an initiative dedicated to enhancing the talent pipeline into Michigan's special education system. 

• They are currently serving on the board of the Early On Foundation.

 This individual has been serving in their current intermediate school district for 20 years. 

• She has held various roles including Caseworker, Special Education Teacher, and Coordinator of Planning, Monitoring, and Data Collection. 

• Under her leadership, a regional teacher apprentice program was developed, offering high-level mentorship, professional development, and paid tuition to grow their own teachers and address staffing needs.

• Her remarkable advocacy and ability to engage stakeholders have led to nearly half a billion dollars in additional funding for special education over the past two years.

• She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Teaching from Lake Superior State University and a Master of Arts from Northern Michigan University. She has also participated in Michigan State University's Educational Leadership Institute.

• Currently, she serves as the Special Education Director for the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District and the Director of the Special Education Instructional Leadership Network.

On behalf of the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education, I am honored to present the 2024 Marvin Beekman Award to Rachel Fuerer.

Rachel is being honored with this prestigious award by her peers for numerous reasons, including:

• Her visionary approach, looking beyond current challenges and barriers to create a future where inclusivity and belonging are standard.

• Her commitment to the principle of "see a need, fill a need," consistently acting with integrity, honesty, compassion, and dedication.

• Her innate ability to motivate those she works with, helping them to identify and develop their own passions while supporting their growth and progress.

• Her skill in active listening and authentic understanding, which highlights her commitment to fostering a collaborative environment.

• Her strong advocacy for the rights of all, demonstrating her willingness to make difficult decisions when necessary, always aligning with what is just and right.

Rachel’s extensive experience as a classroom teacher, local district special education supervisor, and ISD special education director provides her with a unique perspective within the MAASE Beekman cohort.

A colleague of Rachel’s noted that she prominently displays a quote in her office: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” This quote embodies the principle of not merely wishing for change but actively taking steps to create it. It emphasizes personal responsibility and action, urging individuals to exemplify the values and improvements they seek. Rachel’s work and the reflections from her colleagues clearly illustrate her dedication to embodying this philosophy.

It is with great honor that I present Rachel Fuerer with the 2024 Marvin Beekman Award.

2023 Erin Senkowski

2022 Jackie McDougal

2021 Carol Greilick

2015 Kathleen Barker

2014 Laurie VanderPloeg

2013 Donna Tinberg

2012 Thomas Koepke

2009 Kathleen Golinski

2008 Cynthia Smith

2007 Kathy Fortino

2002 William Hartl

2021 Carol Creilick
2020 Eric Hoppstock

2019 Scott Richards
2018 Laura LaMore
2017 Vanessa Winborne
2016 Greg LaMore
2015 Kathleen Barker
2014 Laurie VanderPloeg
2013 Donna Tinberg
2012 Thomas Koepke
2011 Lucy Hough-Waite
2010 Eleanor White

2009 Kathleen Golinski
2008 Cynthia Smith
2007 Kathy Fortino
2006 Jim Walker
2005 Tom Miller
2004 W. Scott Hubble
2003 Jim Shaw
2002 William Hartl
2001 Michael Dombrowski
2000 Maureen Slade

1999 Robert Dietiker
1998 Jan Baxter
1997 Donald Trap
1996 Thomas J. Rivard
1995 Cherie Simpson
1994 Jay R. Leach
1993 John E. Lindholm
1992 Don Bollinger
1991 Bob Cross
1990 Fred Chappell

1989 June M. Schaefer
1988 Leonard Rezrnierski
1987 Bert Donaldson
1986 Fred Nowland
1985 Ed Birch
1984 Larry Campbell
1983 Tom Howard
1982 Murray Batten
1981 Casmir Schesky
1980 Arnold Larson

1979 Tracy Stockman
1978 Charles Mange
1977 Mary Blair
1976 Joseph Noorthoek
1975 Walter Wend
1974 David Haarer
1973 Marvin Beekman