Amy Neill and Clifton McReaken of the Montgomery County R-II School District were named recipients of the R-II Wildcat Award for January 2026.

They’re the individuals who truly have been the differences through their dedication, compassion and unwavering commitment to the students and community.

This year’s district theme, “Be the Difference,” is a reminder that every action, every smile and every moment of care has the power to change lives. The staff lives this message every day – by inspiring curiosity in the students, supporting one another and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

Amy Neill, Montgomery County R-II’s Special Education Process Coordinator, is nominated for the Wildcat Award for her exceptional knowledge, professionalism and dedication to students, parents and teachers. She possesses an impressive depth of understanding of special education procedures, evaluation protocols and compliance requirements, and she uses this expertise to ensure that every student receives the support and services they need to be successful learners at the school.
Amy has a remarkable ability to explain testing procedures and evaluation results in a way that is honest and compassionate. Parents and teachers feel supported and informed because she communicates clearly, respectfully and with great care. Her guidance helps others better understand complex processes, making what can often feel overwhelming much more manageable and relatable.

Amy is always willing to answer questions, provide guidance and problem-solve alongside her team of special education teachers. She works behind the scenes to ensure IEPs are accurate, complete and aligned with student needs. Her attention to detail, timely responses and flexibility make her an invaluable resource to our special education team.

In addition to Amy’s technical expertise, she approaches her work with patience, kindness and a commitment to helping others. Her leadership and support have a positive and lasting impact on the students whose needs she helps address, the parents she guides through the special education process and the teachers she supports every day.

Amy consistently goes above and beyond in every aspect of her role, and the school would simply not function the same without her. Amy arrives at school early to help transport students and stays late to complete paperwork and evaluations because she genuinely cares about doing things the right way for kids. She gives so much of herself every day, often behind the scenes, without ever expecting recognition.

Amy is always the person we turn to when staff members have questions, concerns or need guidance. She takes the time to explain every part of the evaluation process in a way that parents can truly understand, helping them feel supported and confident during what can be an overwhelming and emotional time. Her calm, patient approach builds trust with families and reassures them that their child is in the best hands possible.

Amy is the backbone of the special education department. She steps in whenever someone needs assistance, supports staff without hesitation and has modeled lessons and strategies for new teachers to help them grow and feel confident. She is constantly offering thoughtful ideas for academic and behavioral interventions and is always willing to share her knowledge to support both students and staff.

Amy consistently goes above and beyond to support students and advance our district’s mission of creating lifelong learners and productive citizens. From the very first referral through placement, she works tirelessly to ensure that every student entering the special education process is given the very best our district has to offer. Her commitment to doing what is right for the children is evident in every decision she makes and every conversation she leads.

Amy is energetic, positive and dogged in her advocacy for both students and staff. She is, without question, the single best liaison the district has seen. She has an incredible ability to serve as a “parent-whisperer,” breaking down what can be an incredibly complex and emotionally taxing process into clear, manageable and compassionate explanations. Every IEP or RED meeting she participates in feels collaborative and unified – like we are truly all on the same team working toward the best outcome for the child.

Beyond her expertise, Amy is thoughtful, creative and genuinely kind. She is above no task. Even when it means spending hours transporting students to outside placements – time that cuts into the already overwhelming amount of paperwork she manages daily – she does so without complaint and with the same focus on what is best for students.
Amy’s impact is felt by students, families, staff and the broader community. She exemplifies what it means to be a Wildcat and the district is better because of her dedication, professionalism and humanity.

Clif, who works in the R-II maintenance department, is a hardworking, friendly man that follows through and completes all the tasks he is given. His work is quality and supports the high standard set by our district to maintain our facilities for our students and community. Clif is always happy to help and is eager to take on additional tasks when he is seen working in the buildings.

Clif is the definition of solid and dependable. No matter the task – and whether it’s pleasant or not – he shows up ready to get it done. He approaches every job with care and finishes it with fidelity, never cutting corners and never complaining.
Beyond his strong work ethic, Clif is kind, friendly, and steady – the kind of person you’re always glad to see walk through the door. And more than once, he’s quite literally saved the day, even answering a desperate call from district officials on his day off.

Clif embodies what it means to be a Wildcat: reliable, selfless and all in for our school. The district is grateful for him every single day.

The district’s mission is to create lifelong learners and productive citizens. The Wildcat Award winners support our mission by building meaningful connections, creating a supportive learning environment and through their commitment to professional growth.

Their dedication fosters a love for learning and makes the schools welcoming spaces.

The district is fortunate that Amy and Clif are part of the Wildcat family.