Greetings! My name is Michael Vess. I am the MIS Center Program Teacher at DSST: Conservatory Green Middle School, and the recipient of the 2021 Respect Award.

This is my sixth year at CGMS, and I could not imagine working anywhere else. Our school community at CGMS embraces inclusion and celebrates differences in ways that makes all of our staff, students and families feel welcomed, supported and respected.

As a teacher of students with more severe needs, it is important to provide our students with fun and enriching experiences and opportunities. The National Sports Center for the Disabled provides people with disabilities amazing experiences such as skiing, archery, kayaking and many other outdoor activities that are accessible to people of all abilities levels thanks to adapted equipment.

The NSDC has directly impacted our CGMS community by coming to ours school once per month to provide the students in our MIS Center Program the opportunity to engage in activities that they likely would not be able to experience otherwise. I am grateful for the opportunities that the NSDC has provided my students and all people with disabilities, making it an easy decision to give back to them with this donation.