School District Five educator receives statewide award from South Carolina Council for Exceptional Children

A Lexington-Richland School District Five educator has received a statewide award for her outstanding contribution to the advancement of exceptional children and youth.

Mary Alice Laubach, Placement Chair at Dutch Fork Middle School, was named as the Principal of the Year for South Carolina by the South Carolina Council for Exceptional Children (SCCEC) for 2024. While she is not a principal, any person that serves as the Special Education Lead for a school could also be nominated.

“I am thrilled and honored to be recognized by the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) as Principal of the Year for the state of South Carolina,” Laubach said. “It was very humbling to have been nominated by peers and colleagues and ultimately chosen for the top award. I started in special education as a special education paraprofessional in North Carolina. Wanting to make more of an impact, I worked hard to complete my certification to become a classroom teacher. I could see that I was making a difference in many students’ lives and my work was always very fulfilling to me. Continuing my journey to contribute to special education as well as general education, I earned my administration degree and became the special education placement chair at Dutch Fork Middle School. I am grateful to be able to work with exceptional students in the special education setting and the general education setting. Working with talented and supportive paraprofessionals, teachers and administrators has been a blessing.”

Laubach is a special needs professional who has worked with students with disabilities for over 25 years.  She has worked with high school and middle school students with physical, emotional, and learning disabilities.  She has such a strong knowledge of special needs and how best to engage students in the public education system.  She has shown compassion and patience and wants the best possible education for our students.  She is always their advocate and will work hard to collaborate with the general education teachers. She teaches students adaptability and perseverance.  She has created an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students at Dutch Fork Middle and helps staff meet the needs of our students with encouragement and collaboration with them to make sure the school is in compliance with laws and regulations.

“Laubach spends time getting to know our students and their families to help better serve them,” Dutch Fork Middle School Special Education assistant Cindy Chapman said. “She devotes two afternoons a week with students in general tutoring and mentoring them and gives them encouragement to excel in their classes on top of long days working with Individualized Educational Plans and one on one with students.  I’ve never worked with a Department Head that will go above and beyond to work with special needs students to help them transition into regular general education classes.  She will support them and meet to make sure that the student is successful in the classroom.”

The South Carolina Council for Exceptional Children is a collaborative community of professionals who are the voice and vision of special education in South Carolina. The mission of the council is to improve the educational outcomes and quality of life of individuals with exceptionalities and their families through the actions of professionals, advocates, and other agencies.

“We are so proud to have the opportunity to highlight and celebrate Ms. Laubach,” said Dr. Angie Slatton, School District Five Director of Special Services. “She develops relationships with all stakeholders. It is clear, when sitting in IEP’s or Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) meetings that she has a trusting relationship with students, parents, and staff. She is compassionate in her care for children, parents and staff. She is 100% all in all the time. She is an exceptional model for how administrators should serve all students. I am blessed to have her as a coworker and friend!”