Margaret Mazurkiewicz was nominated by a host of people starting with Katie Klein at Bozymowski Center and it snowballed from there. Since her son Stephen started receiving services at age 4, she has been an indomitable force in helping him and all individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is a member for the Macomb/St. Clair Chapter of the Autism Society of America as well as the national Autism Society of America..
She is an active member of the Lakeside Regional Collaborative Network for Autism that involves Macomb and all districts in the START initiative (Statewide Autism Resources and Training). She has been instrumental in developing programs that support training and implementation of best practices for these students. She is part of the Interagency Transition Council. Margaret has been a member of the Macomb ISD Parent Advisory Committee for 21 years and has served on various committees CAUSE, parent resource Room and Macomb Mall Fair. All her advocacy has benefited her son and all individuals with special needs.
Margaret does have a “regular job” as an editor at Gale Publishing Company. As well as working, she is the penultimate volunteer:
- CC Plus Dance Exercise Company,
- Assistant coordinator of the St,\ Clair Special Needs bowling league – 10 years
- Coaching along with her husband Gregory, the Titans softball league, for the St. Clair Baseball and Softball Association -- 10 years
- Co-creator of the special needs basketball – 4years
- Assistant coach of the Sharks basketball in the fall/winter the St. Clair -- 1 year.
- Assistant coach of the Sharks Special Olympics -- last 3 years.
- Volunteers at Rogers Elementary on Tuesdays
She comes with a basket full of goodies for the students and there’s always so much the staff gets treats, too. When she volunteers in her son’s class, parents have a hard time figuring out that Stephen is her son because she gives the same amount of attention, concern and caring to all students.
She is a kind, generous, caring, willing leader, role model, advisor and confidant to parents, educators and everyone she encounters. She leads by example by rolling up her sleeves and helping out, serving on committees and sometimes as many as four subcommittees, taking on many tasks such as editor for the Transition Council, planning, developing and presenting informational presentations, doing the behind the scene registrations, set-ups, evaluations and every aspect in between until the events are completed. She gives the same attention and expertise to Santa shops, garage sales and any other activities. Her dedication and energy is boundless. She doesn’t ever seem to stop, could we have the secret of all your energy. No wonder your nominators, had so much to say about you and all you have done and are doing for Stephen. And all special needs individuals. You are a remarkable woman, Parent of the Year -- Margaret Mazurkiewicz.
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