Kathe Shelby was the director of ODE’s Office for Exceptional Children from September 2008 until her untimely death in August 2011. To honor Kathe’s efforts and passion for the improvement of the education of children with special needs in Ohio, ODE has developed the Kathe Shelby Leadership Award to be presented to an outstanding special education leader currently employed in Ohio who has demonstrated exceptional skills in improving the quality of special education programming for Ohio's school children.
 
Nominees should display daily evidence of initiative, influence and respect toward children with special needs, their parents, special and regular education teachers, related services personnel and school administrators. The deadline for nominations is March 30 and the form can be found at http://www.edresourcesohio.org/files/2012%20Kathe%20Shelby%20Award%20Nomination.pdf.
The first annual Kathe Shelby Leadership Award will be presented at Ohio's 6th Annual Special Education Leadership Conference on September 26-27, 2012 in Columbus.