The Quaker Valley School District is proud to announce that Mr. Jason Brindza, High School Life Skills and Special Education Teacher at Quaker Valley High School, received the 2025 Judy Heumann Educator of the Year Award.
Presented through the Bender Leadership Academy, this prestigious honor recognizes Mr. Brindza’s exceptional dedication to supporting students with disabilities and his leadership in promoting equity, opportunity, and inclusion within the Quaker Valley community.
Mr. Brindza accepted the award on October 6, 2025, during the Pittsburgh Disability Mentoring Day Kickoff Event, surrounded by his family and Quaker Valley colleagues.
“I was honored to be nominated by colleagues and subsequently receive the Bender Leadership Judy Heumann Award,” said Brindza. “Judy Heumann was an early pioneer for disability rights and inclusion. This award reflects a shared belief that all students—especially those with significant learning needs—deserve meaningful pathways to success, independence, and belonging.”
The Judy Heumann Educator of the Year Award is presented annually each October to honor educators who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to students with disabilities. Awardees exemplify leadership in building equitable systems, ensuring students gain workplace readiness skills, and empowering them to recognize their own strengths.
This recognition is named in memory of Judy Heumann, a nationally respected disability civil rights leader and lifelong advocate for educational access and inclusion.
The Bender Leadership Academy, founded in 2018, is dedicated to expanding employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities from youth through adulthood. The organization builds on more than two decades of service to the disability community, evolving from a volunteer mentoring initiative into a comprehensive program addressing barriers to employment and empowerment.
The Quaker Valley School District extends heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Brindza on this well-deserved honor and thanks him for his continued dedication to Quaker Valley students and families. His commitment to fostering inclusion and preparing students for success continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our learners every day.