Honors Committee
Charge: The Honors Committee selects the recipients of CEC's Professional Awards. It also periodically reviews awards criteria and scoring rubrics and helps develop or provide input on promoting award nominations. The committee can also make recommendations to the Board of Directors for new awards.
Composition: The committee is composed of six members. One practitioner and one higher education representative will be selected to fill the two committee vacancies each year. The two members in their third year serve as co-chairs.
Meet our 2025 Teacher of the Year
View the Committee Position Description
Contact the committee staff liaison with questions or for more information.
| Name | Professional Role | State/Province | Term Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mina Chun, Ph.D., Co-Chair | Assistant Professor, Department of Learning and Teaching, California Lutheran University | CA | 2025 |
| Clarisa Elliott, B.A., Co-Chair | Education Specialist- Low Incidence Disabilities, Education Service Center, Region 15, Somerset ISD | TX | 2026 |
| Nicholas Newton, M.A.T. | Special Education Consultant, Hardin County Schools | KY | 2027 |
| Samantha Scott, Ph.D. | Lecturer in Special Education, Department of Education and Human Development, Clemson University | SC | 2027 |
| Chelsea Marelle, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor, Elementary and Special Education, University of North Georgia | GA | 2028 |
| MaryAnn Pierce, M.Ed. | Special Education Teacher, Granite School District | UT | 2028 |
Last Updated:
26 January, 2026