Mertztown native receives Annie Sullivan Award

Mertztown native Joni Hilbert-Hess, Multiple Disabilities Support Classroom Teacher at Manheim Central Middle School of Lancaster Country, received the 2012 Annie Sullivan Award.

Annie Sullivan Award recognizes a professional in special education who exemplifies caring involvement for students with disabilities, and goes beyond the duties of the classroom in helping others in the school and community to understand and accept people with disabilities.

Hilbert-Hess, formally of Mertztown, is a 1993 graduate of Brandywine Heights Area High School, and 1998 graduate from Millersville University.She has been teaching students with disabilities for the past 12 years.

She resides in Lititz with her husband and two sons. She is the daughter of Sally and Clyde Hilbert of Mertztown.