Dear Ms. Brenzel,
We wish to thank you for your recent article highlighting the New Jersey Department of Education’s recognition of Mr. Mark Mautone as the New Jersey Teacher of the Year for 2014. Your story is important for a number of reasons. Such recognition is often bestowed on general education teachers; therefore, it was wonderful to see a special education teacher receive this honor, particularly one who is committed to bringing science-based teaching practices into his day-to-day work with students.
Furthermore, as you pointed out, Mr. Mautone is a special education teacher for preschool children diagnosed with autism, and has a passion for integrating technology into his work. Clearly, he is an incredible role model, and recently authored an informative article describing how the iPad can be used in the classroom. Sadly, as monies are often misspent in bringing technology into school settings, skilled teachers who can guide best practices in its utilization and meaningful and effective application are sorely needed.
With so much media attention exposing the faults and challenges of public schools, your story of a teacher dedicated to helping students meet best outcomes is refreshing and a welcome change. Mr. Mautone is quoted as saying, “It is my belief that all children, despite the obstacles, deserve the highest quality of education possible so that they can learn to their maximum potential and lead a productive life as independently as possible.” We could not agree more.
Thank you for bringing attention to the wonderful achievements of this talented professional. It is our wish that every student with autism would have a Mark Mautone facilitating his or her growth and development.
Sincerely,
Alice Walkup, MS, BCBA and David Celiberti, PhD. BCBA-D
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
