The Jeannine King S.P.A.R.K. Award recognizes one Special Education educator and one MLL/ELL educator (teacher, leader, coordinator) for their inclusive practices. Recipients have their work showcased on the Collaborative's website and receive a $250 prize.

The Jeannine King S.P.A.R.K. Award was established in honor of our beloved colleague, Jeannine King, who passed away in April 2023. Jeannine served as an Inclusive Education Specialist at the Collaborative and, prior to that, as a member of the Bronx Community Charter School community for 13 years, holding various positions in special education and leadership. She was a dedicated and passionate advocate for equitable and inclusive education for all children, generously shared her knowledge and experience with peers, and always encouraged thoughtful consideration of student perspectives and genuine relationship-building.

Jeannine began each training she facilitated by sharing a quote from Dr. Chris Emdin: "True teaching is only effective when it triggers something that lasts forever or SPARKS a desire in the student to discover more beyond the classroom." 

Through the S.P.A.R.K. award, we aim to honor Jeannine's legacy by recognizing educators who embody the same traits and values of educational excellence and inclusion to which Jeannine dedicated herself with authenticity, generosity, and constancy.

Equity, inclusion, and relationship-building go hand in hand in creating a learning environment where all students feel valued, supported, and empowered. Building meaningful relationships with students, colleagues, and the broader community is essential to fostering a culture of belonging and respect. This involves not only understanding and appreciating diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, but also actively engaging with them to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Equity and inclusion require intentional actions to break down barriers, address disparities, and ensure fairness for all learners.

Advocacy for special populations goes beyond supporting individual students; it involves actively working to create a more inclusive, equitable educational environment for all learners. This can include raising awareness, addressing systemic barriers, implementing new initiatives, or collaborating with colleagues and families to ensure every student has the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Effective advocacy also involves continuously promoting diversity and inclusion within the broader school community.

Sharing knowledge about special populations and inclusion is a key part of building a culture of continuous learning and improvement. This involves not only promoting awareness and understanding of best practices but also empowering colleagues and stakeholders with the insights and strategies necessary to better support diverse learners. Whether through professional development activities, workshops, or informal collaborations, educators who share their expertise help enhance the collective capacity of the school community to meet the needs of students from diverse backgrounds, fostering a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all.