According to Special Education Advisor, 13.6 percent of the nation’s total student enrollment ages 3 to 21 is served under one of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act disability categories.
Since the first special education law was enacted in 1977, the total number of children and students served has increased by 81 percent. This overwhelming increase in the opportunities for these children to thrive in their school system has been made possible by folks such as Celeste Wilden.
Though Wilden is relatively new to the Lenape High School District, she is by no means new to teaching.
Having about 25 years of educational experience, 15 of those in the learning disabilities teacher/consultant field, Wilden has brought a unique knowledge to the district.
Signing on with Seneca High School in October 2012 has proven to be a match made in heaven for both the teacher and her school.
She was recently given the 2015 Seneca Educational Services Professional of the Year award for her hard work and dedication just three years into her stint with the school.
“To be recognized for something that I truly just enjoy doing is a blessing,” Wilden said.
Her passion for the matter first began during college when she served as a nanny for a little girl with special needs. She had such an impact on Wilden that she decided to switch her major to special education with a focus on the handicapped.
Wilden attended LaSalle University, Penn State University and Rowan University where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in special education.
After being told she would not be able to be an LDTC without her master’s degree, she went back to school and obtained a the degree in learning disabilities.
She also held teaching roles in Riverside and Delanco before coming to Seneca.
Wilden has a passion for being that person in a child’s life who provides recognition and acknowledgement, she said.
“I love when I can make a difference in the life of someone,” Wilden said. “Having just one person out there (outside of their home) to care about them gives them a whole different outlook on life.”
She applies a specific focus on emphasizing what each student excels at. Wilden firmly believes in compelling a student to make a contribution to society after school being the focal point of her teachings.
“I spend time figuring out what that one particular thing is that they excel at, and I encourage them to use that gift that they were given no matter how small it may be,” Wilden said.
She was shocked when she was given the news that she had won the Education Services Professional of the Year award.
Wilden said it is humbling to be recognized for an award when she is among so many other qualified nominees. She acknowledged the “Seneca family” for welcoming her with open arms and embodying the term family in every sense of the word.
“The group just makes you want to do more and go further,” Wilden said. “We all encourage laughter and giving our children what they need to prosper.”
