GROVE CITY — Karen Thompson, a special-education teacher for Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV, was honored with the Annie Sullivan Award at the May 20 board of directors meeting.

Thompson is the 22nd recipient of the award named for Helen Keller's teacher. The award, presented by the IU's executive director, Cecelia H. Yauger, was established by the IU's labor and management committee to recognize an educator who shows care, concern and skill in helping students with disabilities gain acceptance in their schools and communities.

Thompson serves in an IU program for institutionalized youth in Butler County.

Thompson's teaching career spans 26 years, including positions in Ohio, Georgia and West Virginia. She began teaching in the IU's emotional support program for residential youth in 1999.

"Karen communicates to her students that the key to having a future is in education, and they have responded to her message," said colleague Amy Walker in a news release. "Many former students have called Karen over the years to share the news that they graduated, earned a good grade, or got a job after leaving the placement."

Thompson was nominated for the award by her colleagues, and was selected as the 2009 recipient by a committee of her peers.

"As stated by her peers, Karen is a dedicated and hard-working teacher," Yauger said in a news release. "She models on a daily basis the qualities that make a difference."

Thompson lives in Butler. She is the mother of two children, Corey of Erie and Ashley of Butler. She also has two grandchildren, Macey and Cohen.