2013 - Clyde V. Bartlett Distinguished Service Award - Frank Scarano

Introductory remarks by Valorie Wolcott Mendelson:

Good morning.
It is my honor and pleasure to introduce this year’s Bartlett Award recipient. I want to begin by reviewing what the Clyde V. Bartlett Award is. In March of 1972  OSPA created this award in memory of Mr. Bartlett, an active member of OSPA who served on the Executive Board, was news letter Editor, worked on the school and private practice certification committee, and was OSPA President in 1960-61. He is remembered for his ability to make everyone feel welcome and vital to the organization.

The purpose of this award is to recognize an Ohio school psychologist for outstanding services or achievement in the profession. The criteria for selection include significant contributions to the growth and development of the profession, outstanding service to the community in the area of mental health, and the personal qualities thought to be desirable in the profession. While preparing today’s introduction I found that my admiration for this individual
grew as I learned new things from other colleagues. This is amazing as I’ve known him for 40 years. Let me introduce him to you by taking you on a journey.

It’s 1972. School psychologists from Lake and Geauga Counties gather monthly at Hellriegel’s Restaurant in Painesville, OH. The long tables swathed in white linen and dotted with baskets of the tastiest cinnamon
buns await the group. Bounding into the room is a tall young man with straw berry blonde, curly hair. He is animated (as I sit next to him his leg jiggles non-stop), contemplative and attentive as required, and laughing spontaneously as he interacts with others. He is a bundle of energy, friendly, articulate, enthusiastic. 

Fast forward to 40 years later. Visualize a low frame building housing the Geauga County educational administrative offices. Walk with me into a conference room; find a seat. In bounds a tall fellow with short, curly, gray hair who begins rapid-fire greetings, directions for lunch, followed by the beginning of a staff meeting. He announces new regulations, clarifies procedures, explores ramifications, and warns of potential pitfalls interspersed with humor, knee jiggling non-stop beneath the table, just like 40 years before.

For those of you familiar with the recipient you recognize these distinguishing characteristics and know of whom I speak. Others may need his name – Dr. Frank Scarano.

Yes, I did say 40 years later. Frank was an intern during those Hellriegel days and now he is approaching retirement for the second time. Let me tell you about Frank. Frank Michael Scarano is a home town Cleveland boy – reared in the Italian culture of hard work, service, and love of life. He graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in 1965 and pursued his psychology undergraduate and his school psychology graduate degrees at John Carroll University. He completed his internship during the 1972-73 year in Bay Village and Rocky River in the era prior to Public Law 94-142.

Frank came to Geauga County the following year and with the exception of the 60 days following his retirement in June 2007, has worked for the county for forty years. In 1981 he was appointed as the Director of School Psychological Services following the completion of his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University. He has retained that position to date.

Frank is a member of the Chardon community where he and his wife reared their children. He is a member of Rotary, a regular at the local YMCA, and an active member of his church. Few residents do NOT know Frank.

These are the benchmarks of Frank’s professional career. Now I want to share with you the real reasons that Frank was selected to receive the Bartlett Award. Frank’s nomination portfolio is full of recommendations from multiple superintendents, principals, teachers, and his school psychology colleagues. Superintendents commend him for his collaborative efforts to assist with special education implementation in the region. ESC directors and staff at Lake Erie College laud his ability to teach and to enhance regular education teachers’ understanding and ability to address special needs children in their classrooms. Principals and teachers note that Frank demonstrates an intense interest in every facet of student development. Frank’s dependability, follow-through, perceptive and intelligent communication as well as his practicality cause him to be a valued team member. His recommendations are thought to be judicious and reflect good common sense which his principals say endear him to teachers and families.

The psychologists with whom he works describe his passion and love for school psychology as being crucial for the growth of and respect for school psychology in Geauga County. He demonstrates high standards of professionalism and genuine compassion for families struggling with children who have disabilities.

As a supervisor of school psychologists Frank he is respected and valued as exemplified by these samples of his staff’s commentary– their words are better than mine:

• Frank discusses the impact of upcoming changes and prepares our staff.
• He puts proven practices into motion to advocate for children regardless of the popularity of the practice.
• He possesses an extraordinary ability to communicate with parents, always taking time to listen.
• As a director of school psychologists he advocates for reasonable caseloads, professional development opportunities and the general well-being of his staff.
• Frank is passionate about every aspect of his position. He shares research and best practices, celebrates individual child and family successes and condemns injustices to children. 
  He serves as an excellent mentor to new school psychologists as he supports their skill development and advancement, as well as serving as an inspiration as they “careen from insurmountable paperwork – his example reminding them that beneath the Planning Forms, PR-01’s and Part 5’s is a child and her or his future”.
  Due to his integrity Frank provides a breath of fresh air in a professional climate that can become too easily discouraging.
  And lastly, one of his staff stated that “Frank presents as an ordinary guy, but is really extraordinary!”

Frank has shown a commitment to the profession through his regular attendance of OSPA conferences and his active participation in the Ohio Supervisors of School Psychologists Association. In 1992 when Dr. Cyndi Reighard assembled a group at Bergamo in Dayton for a Summer Institute for Structuring Internship Competencies and Guidelines, Frank was there. Along with practitioners, IUC representatives, OSPA officers, and ODE representatives the current intern manual guidelines were hammered out in response to the question: “What competencies should school psychologists possess in the year 2000?”

Frank’s commitment to supervision resulted in his regular participation in OSS and several members describe his value to the group:

• Frank is a true gentleman whose enthusiasm for our profession creates positive energy in any environment in which he finds himself.
• Frank’s honesty, loyalty and profound decency set him aside from many others.
• Known for his insightfulness, Frank is respected and valued for his expertise and his perspective.
• Frank’s positions on issues are well- reasoned, thoroughly researched and clearly articulated.

As a life-long learner Frank faithfully at- tends OSPA conferences along with his entourage of staff – often sitting at a back table chatting, analyzing and debating points of view. Often these debates end with that burst of a broad smile so familiar to those who know him. He responds to list serve inquiries with clarifying, dependable responses. He assists with supportive activism, often availing Ann Brennan of his well-thought out responses to potential legislation.

With these admirable qualities one would not begrudge a man held in such high regard a well-earned and reasonable mea sure of ego. But all who wrote of Frank document that he avoids spotlights or well-deserved attention. He is known for his humility and service to others.

And here I will refer to last year’s shooting in Chardon Schools. I learned that in 1994 Frank had gone to the aid of a neighboring school’s staff in response to a very early school shooting. Who would know that 18 years later a horrific event in Chardon would thrust him into extraordinary service? Frank’s community activism and residency complemented his professional commitment. He tirelessly worked to help all in need. Though intensely impacted by the breadth of crisis, Frank brought his staff together to serve the community in a most selfless manner. He met at the hospital with the families of four life-flighted students. He reached out to the grandparents of the suspect. He apportioned re- sources to targeted areas, consulted with the NASP NEAT team, attended funerals, and provided follow-up debriefing for his own staff. Ongoing support has continued throughout this year.

Although Frank has continually attempted to escape the spotlight which his character and professionalism deserves, when he was thrown in to an intensely visible situation, he performed consistent with his humble nature and refused credit. But now on this day, Frank, you cannot escape the spotlight. OSPA chooses to recognize your life-long devotion to children and families, to your community, to this profession, and to a life of service. Ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Frank Scarano. Congratulations, old friend!

Remarks from Dr. Frank Scarano:

I would like to thank the OSPA Executive board for the Clyde Bartlett Distinguished Service Award. The award was first given at the 1973 Spring Conference. It was my internship year. At the time, I thought I knew every- thing about school psychology and decided to skip the meetings and go for a swim at Salt Fork State Park. After the swim I went to the sauna. While there two gentle- men came in. They asked why I was at Salt Fork. I told them that I was attending the OSPA conference, but decided to skip out. When I was about to leave, we introduced ourselves. The two men were Sam Bonham, ODE Special Education Director and Pete Gross, ODE Head Psychologist. Sam Bonham was the recipient of the initial award that year. Pete brought that “meeting” to my attention several times in the future. He won the award in 1981. The list of Bartlett honorees names are leaders in the field. To be named with them is a great honor. A few are in attendance today. I have never missed a spring OSPA conference and have only missed a few fall conferences. The conferences have added immensely to my professional development over the years.

I would like to thank those who wrote let- ters on my behalf; Mike Forcade, Sharon Rieke, Perry Clark and Ann Brennan. Members of the Geauga County ESC; Wendy Jovan, Maria Perusek, April Gregan, Amber Kokal, Kathy Sanborn, Joan Benedejcic and Suzane Fletcher. I would like to especially thank Rob Kubick, Carol Warnick and Valorie Wolcott Mendelson for writing the letter of nomination. The words from all the letters were truly heartfelt.

Most importantly, I would like to thank my family. My oldest daughter Lisa and my wife Mary Jo are here today. Mary Jo and I will be celebrating our 44th anniversary in June. We started dating when I was a junior in high school. She has typed all my reports since high school. She typed my master’s thesis and my doctoral dissertation on a rented Selectric typewriter. She had to put up a lot with me during that time. She has always supported me.

Finally, I would like to let all of you know about the importance of OSPA and NASP. It was not until the Chardon shooting on 2/27/2012 that I really learned to appreciate these organizations. The crisis team and members of regional organizations reached out. They offered help. But most importantly, many individuals were concerned about my well-being. This support was truly needed and appreciated during the aftermath of the tragedy. I would like to especially thank Brian Hill, chair of the crisis team. Also Juliette Madigan and Laura Gable from Cleveland Metropolitan School district and CASP in helping facilitate the debriefing process.

I am retiring this year, but I plan on continuing to attend the conferences. I look forward to breakfasts with Sharon Rieke, Ralph Pajka and Karen Stein. I also will also look forward to dinners with my friends from Akron and the Cleveland area school psychologists. Again, thank you for this wonderful honor.