Christian teacher from Holland honored for bringing genetics and special education students together in sports

HOLLAND – Since the 2018-19 school year, Ann Pawloski has worked to make Holland Christian High School a unified champion school where students with disabilities feel welcome and are meaningfully included in all school activities, opportunities and functions.

This work has led to Holland Christian offering several unified sports teams – soccer, basketball and bocce ball – in which general education and special education students play together.

More:Holland Christian High School Unified Soccer team wins bronze medal at Special Olympics

On Monday, Pawloski received a surprise honor from Special Olympics Michigan.

HCHS held a surprise ceremony on Monday, Nov. 13, presenting Pawloski with the 2022-23 Special Olympics Michigan Unified Champion School Leadership Award.

There are approximately 500 Unified Champion Schools in Michigan, and since 2013, a leader from one of these schools has been recognized each year.

Pawloski, a special education teacher herself, said the work to build and expand the program was worth it.

“I felt like it was something that really made a difference at our school,” Pawloski said. “(I) was able to do it because Special Olympics Michigan is so accommodating and helpful – they are the ones who make the work fun.”

“She cares deeply about students with special abilities, but has a strong desire for every student to thrive at Holland Christian,” said Athletic Director Dave Engbers. “Unified Sports continues to contribute to a better student culture through our soccer, basketball and bocce ball teams. These opportunities are only possible for students because of Ann and her dedicated work.”

The school’s Unified Sports offerings have grown since it began with basketball. The unified soccer team won a medal at the Special Olympics last year, and now there’s bocce ball.

Subscribe to:Get unlimited digital access to your local news coverage

“When you look at how deeply rooted Unified is at Holland Christian, it’s thanks in large part to Ann’s work and persistence in getting everyone on board,” said Dan Ekonen, senior director of program leadership at Special Olympics. “(She) has gone above and beyond the requirements of the Unified Championship Schools, but it’s really part of the fabric here at Holland Christian, and I think that’s a big part of her push to make it all-inclusive for everyone.”

– Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at [email protected].