Westmoreland Intermediate Unit honors 2 educators with awards

After working as a shipper for Age Craft Manufacturing in Greensburg for seven years, Don Sabolcik sought to become a paraeducator.

Sabolcik, of Delmont, was inspired to change career paths after the Clairview School in Hempfield provided early intervention services to his son, J.W.

This is Sabolcik’s third year as a paraeducator, fulfilling the education needs of students with intellectual disabilities.

“Clairview was a major factor in helping my son deal with his issues and to control his behaviors,” Sabolcik said. “It is wonderful to be able to give back.”

J.W. is now a straight-A student at Greensburg Salem High School.

The Westmoreland Intermediate Unit gave awards to Sabolcik and special education teacher Tiffany Diehl in October to recognize their outstanding work.

Sabolcik received the Outstanding Paraeducator of the Year Award, and Diehl was selected for the Annie Sullivan Award, named after Helen Keller’s teacher and companion. Peers nominated Sabolcik and Diehl for the awards, which have been given out annually for more than 20 years.

“I see (the award) more as an accumulation of my whole career up to this point, not just one moment in time,” said Diehl, of Norvelt.

Diehl has worked as an educator at the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit for 24 years. She worked as an autistic support teacher for seven years before a 10-year career as a teacher at the Westmoreland County Youth Shelter, a temporary home for children.

“I had to spend a lot of time getting used to flexibility, ” Diehl said, “because you never know day to day what students are even going to be in the class.”

Since August, she has worked at the unit’s partial hospitalization program for students with mental health needs. Her day is split between typical education and therapy or mental health support.

Diehl became a special education teacher because of a childhood friend who is blind.

“We became friends, and I got to do some really neat things, like take her to Girl Scout Camp for a week,” Diehl said. “I got to experience working with some of the people that worked with her — the people that taught her how to get around in the community — and they taught me some of those things.

“From a young age, I just always wanted to work with students.”

Matt Thomas, the unit’s student services director, acknowledged Diehl’s inclusive approach to teaching.

“She tailored her daily classes to accommodate a diverse group of students, from elementary to high school age, including those with disabilities,” he said at an October board meeting. “Her unwavering dedication ensured that all her students received a solid foundation in academic skills, career readiness and hands-on guitar skills, even in challenging circumstances.”

Sabolcik was recognized for his dedication, reliability, patience and positivity, Thomas said.

“Don is a dedicated team player who consistently goes above and beyond his job description,” he said. “His positive attitude is infectious, creating an optimistic and motivating learning environment.”