McCaslin

GROVE CITY — A Karns City teaching assistant has been selected as the Midwestern Intermediate Unit's recipient of the Spirit Award.

Theresa McCaslin was honored at the Nov. 18 board of directors meeting as the 2009 award. She is a teaching assistant serving one student in the special education department at Karns City School District.

This award was created to recognize a support staff individual who exemplifies excellence on the job, caring involvement, and involvement in the community.

McCaslin serves Shawn Crawford, a student at Karns City High School, who has multiple disabilities that limit his sight, hearing, and motor abilities. But, he is at the top of his class academically.

Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV's Special Education department serves students with special needs, as well as the education community in Butler, Lawrence, and Mercer Counties. Last year, there were 9,049 students identified in schools with special needs.

Crawford attended the presentation with flowers for Mrs. McCaslin.

"I have been through many personal assistants throughout my career as a disabled student," he wrote in a testimonial letter for the event. "If I could choose only one for the best, it would be Mrs. Theresa McCaslin. She has many great qualities that make her a superior personal assistant that any other student would indeed envy."

McCaslin lives in West Sunbury with her husband, Mark. She has three children, Craig, Patrick and Maura.

Crawford lives with his parents, Susan and John, in Sugarcreek Township, Armstrong County.