By Greg Mellen

There was a Big Kahuna at the Capistrano Unified School District offices in San Juan Capistrano the other day. And it wasn’t a high-ranking official or surf legend. It was Berna Ogut of Chaparral Elementary.

Although slight in stature, Ogut, an educational specialist in her second year at Chaparral, has had an outsized effect on her special education students at the Ladera Ranch School. So much so that she was nominated for recognition at the 9th annual Sunshine Awards for Exceptional Educators by seven parents of the eight special education students she works with. And that’s a big deal.

The Big Kahuna Award, given to one special teacher each year, marked one of the highlights of the annual awards ceremony staged by the District’s Special Education Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

Ogut said her message to her children is simple.

“No limits,” she said, “to show all our abilities and all our strengths.”

Beth Davis, Chair of the CAC and event emcee, shared, “You are a true ray of sunshine to so many special students and a real Big Kahuna.”

Barbara King, the parent of a special needs student and one of those to nominate Ogut, wrote in her statement, “Mrs. Ogut is a blessing wrapped up in an advocate, cheerleader, therapist, and, last but not least, an educator.”

King added that Ogut’s caring is heartfelt and genuine.

“She never treats our children as ‘less than,’ but meets them at their current need PLUS teaches them to strive for more. … It’s magic.”

Spreading a wide net

Each year, parents, family members, and friends of students in special education are encouraged to write letters nominating parents and staff members who work with and inspire the children.

Helping to put the event together is CAC, a partnership of parents, educators, and community members that helps guide CUSD’s Special Education programs, provides parental education, connects families with administrators and other parents, and shares resources and support.

All who are nominated are honored at the annual Sunshine Awards with certificates, entertainment, and a catered meal. This year’s event had an outdoor camping theme, including packets for homemade s’mores.

The students provided the evening’s entertainment, with cheerleading by the San Clemente High Sparkle Squad, and “The Star-Spangled Banner” sung by Tyler Karunaratne of Aliso Niguel High. A pair of impressive classical piano performances were given by high schoolers Mateo Weber of Dana Hills and Parsa Ezati of Tesoro, and a duet from “Frozen” was performed by Kaylyn Clemons and Danny Lopez of the Adult Transition Program. A dance video from Bathgate Elementary featured students, choreographed to the Bee Gees’ “You Should Be Dancing.”

This year, 175 people from 39 schools and programs were honored. Awards are not limited to special education teachers and can be given to general education teachers, paraeducators, education specialists, and administration and district staff. Anyone who works in special education or with the kids and helps lift them up so they can truly rise to their full potential is eligible, the district states.

Throughout the event, samples of inspiring letters of nomination, like the one for Ogut, were read aloud by the nominators.

At Bathgate Elementary, a parent praised the “Dream Team” of general education kindergarten teachers Michele Doane and Christy Peterson for helping her son succeed and thrive in his first year of general education.

Parent Shannon Sauer praised Elizabeth McGraw for her help transitioning her son from a private school for dyslexia/ADHD diagnosed students to eighth grade at Ladera Ranch Middle School.

Brittany Kessy glowed about the work of Hiam Hassan Awni, a preschool/transitional kindergarten teacher at the Early Childhood Center, for helping her son overcome educational and behavior barriers, including bringing in “his favorite characters and songs into the classroom to facilitate engagement.”

These were just a few of the success stories that are played out daily in CUSD in the special education community.

As the evening drew to a close, Davis talked about the real purpose of the event.

“Thank you to all of our amazing honorees, who go above and beyond every day to bring sunshine to our exceptional students,” she said. “You also give sunshine to the parents and caregivers of those special kids. Thank you for being full of light.”

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