The Lewisville ISD Education Foundation is proud to recognize the four winners of the 2025 Cain Sczepanski Award of Excellence in Special Education. This award, given on behalf of The Cain Sczepanski Foundation in Special Education, was created by Bill, Carolyn, and Cara Sczepanski in memory of their beloved son and brother, Cain.
Cain, who lived for 24 years with Down syndrome and heart defects, spent 18 years under the guidance of dedicated LISD educators. The award recognizes special education professionals who exemplify excellence in the classroom and includes a $2,000 cash award.
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Congratulations to the 2025 Winners!
- KATIE TAYLOR, Flower Mound Elementary
- WANDA DENT, Lakeland Elementary
- LUCINDA ESPINOZA, Shadow Ridge Middle School
- RAUL PLATAS, Creek Valley Middle School
KATIE TAYLOR, Flower Mound Elementary
Katie Taylor knew she wanted to be a teacher from the second grade. Her passion for special education, however, was ignited by a younger cousin who had hydrocephalus and stayed with her family for a couple months when she was younger. Katie loved watching her cousin express joy and dreamed of sharing that joy with others while helping students with disabilities be recognized for their capabilities.
Now in her 18th year as a Communication teacher at Flower Mound Elementary, Katie has dedicated her career to helping students find their voices. She collaborates closely with speech and occupational therapists, as well as general education teachers, to create an inclusive and supportive learning experience.
“I have high expectations for my students, but I am also one of their biggest cheerleaders,” says Katie. “I strive to connect with my students and create a safe and inspiring learning environment.”
Katie is widely respected by colleagues and school leadership for her unwavering dedication to her students, her ability to remain composed in even the most demanding situations, and her deep understanding of student learning and development. She was nominated as Flower Mound Elementary’s Teacher of the Year in 2019 and is known for going above and beyond to build strong relationships with both students and parents, fostering trust and respect that extends beyond the classroom.
“Ms. Taylor possesses a deep understanding of student learning and development. She effectively assesses student strengths and weaknesses and then develops individualized learning plans to ensure each student reaches their full potential,” says Christy Van Scoyoc, Principal of Flower Mound Elementary. “Beyond her exceptional teaching abilities, Ms. Taylor is a valued leader and a supportive colleague. Her dedication to her students and colleagues is truly inspiring.”
Her passion for special education continues to grow as she pursues further expertise in the field, having recently applied to UNT’s Master’s program in Autism Intervention for Fall 2025. Her philosophy remains simple but powerful: each of her students is a star, and her role is to help them shine.
WANDA DENT, Lakeland Elementary
With 28 years of dedicated service in Lewisville ISD, Wanda Dent has left a profound impact as a Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) Strategist and Behavior Academic Support Environment (BASE) teacher at Lakeland Elementary. Having received special education services as a student herself, Wanda understands firsthand the challenges her students face and the concerns of their families. Her mission is to empower students with the tools to advocate for themselves and achieve lifelong success.
In her role, Wanda provides individualized instruction in reading, writing, and math, using research-based methods like the New Herman Method and SRA Corrective Reading. She also offers in-class support, helping students integrate into general education settings. Additionally, she creates a safe and nurturing space for students who need emotional regulation and guidance.
"She is the first one called whenever a student needs support," says Maria Luna, a colleague. "She has a calm, nurturing demeanor that deescalates any situation."
A multi-time Teacher of the Year and longtime Special Education Team Lead, Wanda is a mentor to both new and veteran educators.
“Her depth of knowledge in special education is unparalleled,” says colleague, Maricela Bustillos-Rodriguez. “She is a pillar of knowledge and positivity, always willing to lend her expertise.”
Beyond the classroom, Wanda is a fixture at school events, PTA meetings, and student activities, ensuring families feel supported. As a former student of Marcus High School herself, she works hard to fulfill the mission of MHS by providing an environment that inspires all students to become confident, self-directed, lifelong learners.
“She embodies the spirit of service and excellence that makes her an integral part of our school and our team,” says fellow SDI teacher, Gerri Elizardo.
LUCINDA ESPINOZA, Shadow Ridge Middle School
For Lucinda “Luci” Espinoza, her journey into special education was deeply personal. As a mother of two sons, one of whom has autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities, she has spent decades navigating the world of special education, not only as an advocate for her own child but as a compassionate and unwavering champion for countless others.
Since 2017, Luci has been a beloved paraprofessional in the Academic Life Skills (ALS) classroom at Shadow Ridge Middle School. She is known for her ability to connect with students on a deeply personal level, understanding their strengths and pushing them just beyond their limits so they can experience growth and empowerment.
“I see my students as having ‘different abilities,’ not disabilities,” Luci explains. “I determine what their abilities are and encourage them to strive a little higher.”
The impact she has made is immeasurable. Parents recall moments of overwhelming frustration and fear, only to find comfort in Luci’s words and actions.
“Mrs. Espinoza always provided empathy, encouraging words, advice and guidance to us all. Her actions and kindness, truly made an impression. We are so grateful for the service, passion, and the abundance of patience that she demonstrated every day,” said parent, Mike Morton.
Another parent, Shannon Ferguson, credits Luci with helping her son remain in a less restrictive educational setting when his behavioral challenges could have led to isolation.
“Thanks to her compassion and hard work, my son was able to remain in Shadow Ridge until he was old enough to go on to Flower Mound High School,” she explains. “It was quite likely he would have been moved to a very restrictive environment, and not a typical school, if it had not been for the patience of Ms Luci in working with him to gain coping strategies, confidence, and independent skills.”
Karla Renfrow, whose son has autism, describes Luci’s presence as transformative.
“She would greet him every day at the door with a high five and smile ear to ear every time she saw him,” she says. “Luci works tirelessly to create an inclusive and nurturing learning environment, ensuring that every student feels they are seen and heard. She embodies the qualities of an exceptional educator and has made a profound difference in the lives of her students and colleagues.”
Luci’s unique perspective and skill set is one of the reasons she has chosen to remain a paraprofessional, because it allows her to do what she loves most: work with students 100% of the time.
“I don’t see this as work,” she says. “I get to wake up every day and do something I love.”
RAUL PLATAS, Creek Valley Middle School
Raul Platas has been a dedicated educator in Lewisville ISD for five years, making a lasting impact on students with special needs. His journey into special education was deeply personal and began in the Fall of 2001 when his cousin was born with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect. That same year, Platas joined Circle of Friends at Lewisville High School, an experience that shaped his career path.
"For my siblings and cousins, this was a big surprise that included growth in faith and understanding," said Platas. "Now having a family member with Down syndrome, I thought it would be a good idea to learn more about this population and do something for others. I consider Circle of Friends integral to becoming a Special Education Teacher, and now that I have been teaching for five years, I am mostly inspired by the growth my students have shown."
Colleagues and parents alike recognize Platas’ ability to create a positive and nurturing environment for his students. Lisa Vaughn and Robin Satterla, fellow educators, praised his unique teaching style.
"It is clear that Mr. Platas possesses a unique blend of patience and enthusiasm that sets him apart from his peers. He demonstrates a caring nature and ability to adapt to the different needs of special education students. He has the unique ability to inspire and uplift those around him. As a result of his dedication, we have observed remarkable progress with very challenging students in his classroom."
For parents, the impact of Platas’ teaching is undeniable. Eva Metodi, whose son recently transferred into his class from another school where she felt he was not receiving the support he needed, saw a transformation almost immediately.
"I can see Mr. Platas’ love for these children and especially for my son. Him and his crew are the best thing to have happened to these kids,” she said.
Shannon Goheen, Special Education Program Interventionist and former middle school teacher of Cain Sczepanski, sees Platas as an exceptional role model for educators in the field.
"Mr. Platas brings a rare and genuine empathy to his teaching. He takes the time to understand the unique challenges and strengths of each student, tailoring his lessons to meet their individual needs. His positive impact on students extends well beyond the school day. He builds relationships and trust with families that lead to a collaborative approach to instruction,” she said. “As Cain Sczepanski’s middle school teacher at Briarhill Middle School, I know that he would have loved Mr. Platas and thrived in his classroom."
