Howorth recognized with Council for Exceptional Children leadership award
Sarah Howorth, associate professor of special education at the University of Maine, is the recipient of the 2025 Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Outstanding Leadership Award for her significant contributions to the council’s programs and activities.
The CEC is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the success of children and youth with disabilities, as well as those with special gifts and talents. Howorth has been a CEC member for more than a decade and has held several leadership positions. From 2017 to 2021, she served as the Children’s Advocacy Coordinator and Nominations Committee member for the CEC Innovations in Special Education Technology (ISET) Division. In addition, she was president of the ISET Division in 2020, and she has served as treasurer of the CEC Maine chapter.
The award recognizes Howorth’s efforts to share her knowledge and skills with others. She has helped organize and present at national and international conferences and training sessions, including the CEC Division for Autism and Developmental Disorders International Conference.
Her dedication to the field includes serving on advisory boards, including co-chairing Maine’s LD 924 Task Force, which was responsible for identifying barriers to higher education and vocational access for young adults with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries. She was also a member of the Maine Department of Education’s Special Education Teacher Preparation Advisory Board.
More information about the Outstanding CEC Leadership Award is online. Howorth will be recognized along with other professional award recipients at the CEC’s 2025 Convention and Expo in Baltimore, March 12-15.