PBL coach commended for inclusionary efforts



By WILL BRUMLEVE
[email protected]

PAXTON — Earlier this fall, several people texted Andy Hudson with photos of his sixth-grade son, Evan, running hand-in-hand alongside Paxton-Buckley-Loda Junior High School cross-country coach Mariah White. Many expressed their opinion that White should be recognized for going above and beyond in making sure that Hudson’s special-needs son, who has Down syndrome, always felt included in the team’s meets and practices.

The elder Hudson, a local pharmacist, agreed, as he was among several community members to urge PBL school district administrators to commend White for her inclusionary efforts.

“We’re pleased with what she’s done in the past year,” Hudson said during the school board’s Nov. 16 meeting.

Equally pleased were school district officials. During the meeting, Associate Superintendent Travis Duley read a letter — signed by himself and Superintendent Cliff McClure — commending White for going above and beyond expectations and setting an example for other coaches to follow.

“This is not a step that we take very often, but something that, when we feel somebody is exceptional in what they’re doing, we want to make sure that we commend them for that,” Duley told the board.

White — who, in addition to coaching junior high cross country, is a special education teacher at Clara Peterson Elementary School in Paxton — was invited to attend the meeting to receive her letter but was unable to be present due to a prior commitment, Duley said. Copies of the letter were to be placed in White’s personnel file and given later in the week to White, Clara Peterson Elementary School Principal Barry Wright and PBL Junior High School Athletic Director Kelli Vaughn, Duley said.

As read by Duley during the meeting, the letter, addressed to White, stated:

“We are writing this letter to formally commend you for your efforts during the 2022 junior high cross-country season. From what we and others within our school community have witnessed, you have exceeded all expectations and are setting an example for other coaches to follow. Inclusion is providing equal access to opportunities and resources to all individuals. On multiple occasions, we’ve witnessed you assisting and encouraging one of our student-athletes with special needs. This is the expectation for all coaches at PBL, but you went above and beyond in carrying out your duties.

“Please know that multiple community members have communicated with us, wanting to ensure that we know what a great job you are doing with this student-athlete. One community member shared that he has experienced and witnessed inclusion before, but never to this level. Another shared that she has witnessed you encouraging and also pushing this student-athlete to do their best. And this same community member shared that prior to a recent meet, you contacted the host school to ensure that they would provide accommodations for this student-athlete.

“The pride that this gives us as district leaders cannot be put into words. We sincerely thank you for your efforts. Paxton-Buckley-Loda CUSD No. 10 would not be what it is without staff members like you. Thank you for being a part of our Panther family.”

Hudson said recognizing teachers and coaches for the good they do is important, and White is deserving.

“There’s so much negativity in today’s world,” Hudson said. “When something good happens and to retain young teachers, I think it’s important to recognize them.”

“Thank you for bringing that to our attention so we can acknowledge a teacher who’s going above and beyond — a coach who’s going above and beyond,” responded the school board’s president, Dawn Bachtold.

Besides Bachtold, board members present included Jason Rust, Dana Bergandine, Brittney Maulding and Steve Pacey. Absent were board members Craig Loschen and Jason Dirks.