08/20/2026
Join us in celebrating Clinton County RESA’s Director of Special Education and Communications, Renee Thelen, and her continued leadership in special education across Michigan!
Renee was honored as the 2025 Marvin Beekman Award recipient, one of the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education’s most prestigious honors. Last week, she returned to the MAASE Summer Institute stage, this time to address more than 800 special education leaders from across the state.
Renee shared a message about Everyday Leadership and the impact our daily choices can have on the students, staff and families we serve. She encouraged leaders to keep growing, to own their mistakes and learn from them, to be transparent, and to celebrate the people who make success possible.
Her message was also a reminder that leadership isn’t defined by one big moment. It’s found in how we choose to show up each day, how we support those around us and how we use the examples of great leaders and mentors to continue improving our own practice. As Renee shared, “Everyday leadership truly isn’t about the leader. It’s about the people they lead for.”
We are incredibly proud to have Renee representing Clinton County RESA and helping inspire the next generation of special education leaders throughout Michigan. Congratulations, Renee, on this well-deserved opportunity to share your leadership, experience and passion with colleagues from across the state!
