By Tara Santiago (with assistance from Lisa Farrimond)
Secondary Support Transition
Exceptional Children's Division
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual that has shown extraordinary dedication and devotion to improving the lives of people with disabilities by demonstrating advocacy in the community, state, nation or internationally over an extended period of time.
Dempsey came to our school system in 2000. He has served as Director of Special Education programs in North Carolina and Tennessee and has helped develop nationally recognized special education programs as well as international programs in India, China and South America.
During his more than four decades in the field, he has dealt with all areas of disability. Mr. Dempsey has been active in policy implementation and development at the local, state and national levels. Under his direction, the WS/FCS system implemented an electronic student information management system which won a national process improvement award.
He is currently serving on six state level committees and works tirelessly to improve education for all students with disabilities. Mr. Dempsey serves a distinguished role model for all educators in North Carolina. He leads by example and looks for the potential and possibilities that all people with disabilities hold. This is very evident in his 44-year career in education, where he has fought and won many battles to improve the education for individuals with disabilities.
As a National Rowing Official, Mr. Dempsey traveled to China to officiate rowing events at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing. Mr. Dempsey plans to retire in January 2019, and he will leave some mighty big shoes to fill! We feel sure his support and advocacy will continue because this is a man who has truly dedicated his life to empowering people with disabilities!
Congratulations to a fine man.
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