Downriver educator honored with Special Education Leadership Award

A Lincoln Park Public Schools educator who routinely goes above and beyond recently received the Kathryn Mathey Special Education Leadership Award from Wayne RESA, Wayne County’s intermediate school district.

Nicole Chubb, the district’s executive director of special education, was chosen among special education professionals throughout Wayne County for her significant contributions to special education in Wayne County and the Downriver communities.

“I would like to personally congratulate Nicole for winning this prestigious award, which highlights her years of commitment to serving the needs of our Railsplitters,” said Terry Dangerfield, Lincoln Park Public Schools superintendent. “Nicole continues to play a critical role in our district’s commitment to helping ensure all Railsplitters have the opportunity to succeed.”

Role in launching Project SEARCH

Chubb’s extensive list of achievements includes her role in launching Project SEARCH, a partnership with Corewell Health Trenton that provides on-the-job internships for students ages 18 to 26 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This year, Project SEARCH produced its first graduating class, with many of the students already lined up for jobs.

In addition to operating center-based programs for students with autism and visual impairments, Chubb has also taken on the district’s operation of Beacon Day Treatment in Southgate. The facility is a critical safety net that provides educational services to students with severe emotional impairments in the Downriver area.

Through Chubb’s leadership, Lincoln Park has established a “Peer to Peer” program districtwide that connects students with and without disabilities to interact at various times throughout the day, an initiative that is beneficial and rewarding to all students involved.

Unified Sports contributor

Lincoln Park also participates in Unified Sports in the Downriver League, allowing disabled students the opportunity to participate in organized sports alongside their non-disabled peers.

“This award is a huge honor, and it only serves as motivation for me and my colleagues to continue our incredibly important work at Lincoln Park Public Schools,” Chubb said. “I look forward to finding new avenues to help our students succeed this school year and beyond.”