Special School District of St. Louis County (SSD) selected Matt Phillips, principal at Brown Elementary School, as a 2012 Special Ambassador Award recipient. It is the highest recognition bestowed by SSD and it honors those who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to SSD students and/or staff.
Phillips will be honored at SSD’s Special Salutes Awards banquet, March 7 at 6:30 p.m., at the Moolah Temple Ballroom, located at 12545 Fee Fee Road in Maryland Heights.
“I’m humbly honored that parents think that much of my leadership to nominate me for this award,” said Phillips. “My passion has always been students with special needs, so it’s an honor to be recognized by SSD for my services for students with special needs.”
Parent Jacqueline Clay and Phillips’ secretary, Patty Treat, nominated him for the award.
“When I first moved into the District, Mr. Phillips was part of the meeting I had about my child’s individualized education plan,” said Clay, who has a third grade student at Brown. After an initial decision to send her child to a different school, Clay said Phillips told her, “We’re going to do everything we can to keep your child here at Brown” and that is what happened.
“He follows through on what he says he will do,” said Clay. “He’s visible in the building and he answers his phone. How many times do you call a school and the principal answers? That touched me. You don’t have to chase him down to talk to him. He doesn’t hide behind his desk or behind closed doors. I have never met a person like Mr. Phillips and he is most deserving of this award.”
“I have a special needs child,” said Treat. “I have seen what Mr. Phillips does for Brown’s special needs students that go above and beyond what any parent could ever imagine. He has a way with parents and students that make them feel they are part of our school and community. Mr. Phillips cares about all students equally and he has a passion to see them succeed it whatever they set out to do.”
Phillips is one of 13 Special Ambassador Award recipients. SSD allows anyone - SSD staff, parents or partner districts to nominate people, but nominators have to make a case as to why their nomination makes an impact on SSD students or staff. A judging committee reviews all of the nominations before selecting the winners.