MADSEC is the professional association
for administrators of special education in the State of Maine.
Donna Laux
MADSEC Special Education Therapist
of the Year Award 2007
The Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (MADSEC) recognized Donna Laux as the Special Education Therapist of the year. MADSEC is the association of Special Education Administrators in Maine’s local public schools, private special education schools, and Child Development Services (preschool) sites.
Lesley Snyer, Special Education Administrator of M.S.A.D. #23, introduced Donna and presented her with the award at the MADSEC Awards Dinner held at the Atlantic Oakes By-The-Sea in Bar Harbor, June 25. This annual award is given to a special education therapist who had made outstanding contributions to education and/or has had success as a special education therapist. Other criteria include awareness of current educational developments, professional growth, involvement on school committees, and demonstration of leadership. Laux’s colleagues in M.S.A.D. #23 encouraged the Southern Penobscot Region to nominate her for this award. That group, being well aware of the knowledge and skills that Laux brought to special education, gladly nominated her for this award.
Laux’s supervisors and colleagues have recognized her great knowledge, but also emphasized that it was her dedication to children and her respectful and compassionate demeanor that made her the likely candidate for this award. One supporter offered that Donna is always the one to ask, “How can we make this work for this child?”
Since 2001, Laux has worked in M.S.A.D. #23 consisting of Carmel and Levant. Previously, she was a speech clinician in M.S.A.D. #68 Dover Foxcroft, for 7 years; M.S.A.D. #67, Lincoln, for one year; and M.S.A.D. #9, Farmington for 11 years. In addition to serving as a speech clinician Laux has served on a wide variety of committees, and has served as mentor and workshop presenter of several subjects. She has created a phonological awareness screening instrument that is used in several school districts.
Laux received her bachelor's degree in 1969 from the West Virginia Wesleyan College and attended the University of Maine at Farmington to become certified in speech and hearing. She completed course work at the University of New Hampshire and received her Speech and Hearing Master’s Equivalency in 2002.
Donna and husband Jan, live in Pittsfield. They have three grown daughters and three grandchildren. Her Hobbies include antiques, quilting, basket making, and needlework.
