Indiana Council for Exceptional Children Announces Two Award Winners in MSD Wayne
Two staff members from MSD Wayne’s Office of Special Services – Dr. Tara Rinehart and Hannah Maschino – are being recognized by the Indiana Council for Exceptional Children (INCEC).
Dr. Rinehart, MSD Wayne’s director of special services, is the INCEC Outstanding Administrator of the Year. Mrs. Maschino, teacher at Robey Elementary, is the INCEC Special Educator Rising Star of the Year. Both Dr. Rinehart and Mrs. Maschino will be recognized on Wednesday, February 2 at the Indiana Convention Center during the Focus on Inclusion Conference.
Dr. Rinehart has had the opportunity to lead at many levels in education. She has been in MSD Wayne’s Office of Special Services since 2011, first as assistant director and then director. She was an elementary principal and district director of exceptional learners in North Montgomery School Corporation prior to her move to MSD Wayne. Her previous experience includes work at the Indiana Department of Education as the state response to intervention specialist as well as an exceptional learners specialist. Prior to joining the Indiana Department of Education, Dr. Rinehart was a special education department chair and teacher for the Brownsburg Community School Corporation. She has also taught special education K-12 in Arizona and Iowa.
Dr. Rinehart graduated with her PhD and EdS from Indiana State University, her MS in educational administration from Butler University’s EPPSP program, and received her BA in special education from Arizona State University. In addition, she holds a K-12 mild intervention license, an intense intervention license, a building level administrator license, and a superintendent license.
As president-elect of the INCEC executive board for the last two years, and now president, Dr. Rinehart has been able to lead as a board member in strategic planning and legislative advocacy in Washington, D.C. She also provides leadership through presenting across the state around alternatives to restraint and seclusion and creating momentum through leadership to best serve students. She worked alongside the Indiana Department of Education to create the New Educator Institute, which allows all new special education teachers a CEC membership along with tools for their first year.
Hannah Maschino recently graduated from Grace College and then began teaching in MSD Wayne during the pandemic. One of her colleagues says, “Although she has only been in her current building a short time, she has made a lasting impression on staff and students. Not only is Mrs. Maschino a gentle soul who speaks with genuine concern in a soothing and adaptive classroom environment with intentions of moving the students as far as they can to meet the standards designated for her curriculum, she is also inclusive in all she does. She is dedicated to the diversity and inclusion of her students in as many facets of the school as possible.”
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents. INCEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice. In addition, INCEC is dedicated to improving the educational success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents while working collaboratively with strategic partners to ensure that all students are valued and fully participating members of society.
ABOUT THE MSD OF WAYNE TOWNSHIP
The Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township provides multiple pathways to success for more than 16,000 students, preschool through high school. Located on the west side of Indianapolis, MSD Wayne works in partnership with the Wayne Township community to help every learner achieve excellence. To learn more about MSD Wayne, visit www.wayne.k12.in.us, or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/msdwaynetownship/ and Twitter @WayneTwpSchools and @WayneTwpSuper.
