There was never really any doubt about what Robert Dunmoyer was going to do for a career.
Growing up in Reading, he was extremely close with his cousin Zachary Zerbe. The two were like brothers, sharing a love for sports, Dunmoyer said.
But playing sports wasn’t an easy task for Zerbe. He was intellectually disabled and had cerebral palsy.
Luckily, there were organizations around that provided kids like Zerbe a chance to play. Dunmoyer recalls fondly taking part in Challenger Baseball and the Special Olympics with his cousin.
“They helped my cousin experience things we take for granted,” Dunmoyer said. “He got a lot of joy out it.”
Dunmoyer also spent a lot of time as a kid hanging out in his mother’s classroom. His mom, Brenda Dunmoyer, was a paraprofessional in a Reading School District special education classroom.
Seeing the work his mother did with kids with special needs — kids much like his cousin — sealed the deal for Dunmoyer.
“I kind of figured out that was what I wanted to do,” he said.
Dunmoyer, now 45 and a Mohnton resident, has spent his entire career working in special education. Currently the out-of-district coordinator for the Conrad Weiser School District, he was recently honored as the winner of the Berks County Intermediate Unit’s 2022 Annie Sullivan Award.
The award is given in recognition of an individual who has worked to encourage the understanding and promotion of students with disabilities in his or her school or community.
Annie Sullivan was Helen Keller’s devoted teacher and mentor who was nearly blind herself. After treatment, she regained her sight and committed herself to teaching the blind and deaf.
Dunmoyer said he was shocked and honored by the award, saying he was blown away hearing about the work of the other finalists from across the county.
“There should have been 14 Annie Sullivan Awards for everyone in the room,” he said.
In his position at Conrad Wesier, Dunmoyer helps place students with severe disabilities at specialized private schools. He also works to address the needs of students housed at Bethany Children’s Home, which is located within the school district’s boundaries.
He previously worked as a learning support specialist at Conrad Weiser High School.
Dunmoyer said working with students with special needs has brought him a lot of joy and satisfaction.
“Seeing the students grow through the years, the success stories,” he said when asked about his favorite part of the job. “A lot of these kids are dealing with a lot of trauma, so seeing them be successful is amazing.”
Of course, there are also downsides to the work. Dunmoyer admitted it can be frustrating at times.
“The hardest thing is that sometimes there are students you can’t reach for some reason,” he said. “Or there are kids that you connect with who leave and you don’t know how they’re doing.”
Dunmoyer’s passion for the kids he works with is what led Jessica Head, director of special education at Conrad Weiser, to nominate him for the award.
“Robert Dunmoyer has become one of the most well-loved and respected educators within the Conrad Weiser School District not just by students, but staff and community alike,” she said. “His dedication and passion for helping all youth, no matter the background that came before them, cannot be quantified. Mr. Dunmoyer cares deeply about ensuring all differently-abled students are supported by the most appropriate and best teams to help them succeed.”
Dunmoyer demurs when asked what makes him great at his job, saying everything he does is only possible because of the team around him and a school district focused on putting kids first.
He said he has learned a lot through his years working at Conrad Weiser, that his approach to his work has evolved through exposure to great coworkers. He said he’s also learned to slow down.
“I’ve learned that you’re not going to change the world in one day,” he said. “And you’re not going to do it by yourself. No one person has all the answers.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with this team. I never feel like I’m on an island.”
Other finalists
The following were the other finalist for the 2022 Annie Sullivan Award:
• Staci Fink, supervisor of special education, Antietam School District.
• John Forry, educational facilitator, Berks Career and Technology Center.
• Robin Gruber, early intervention itinerant teacher, Berks County Intermediate Unit.
• Donna Long, paraprofessional/job coach, Boyertown School District.
• Eileen Schmidt, athletic director, Daniel Boone School District.
• Susan vanderBent, administrative assistant/student services, Gov. Mifflin School District.
• Zachariah Milch, licensed behavior specialist, Muhlenberg School District.
• Carol Smith, speech and language pathologist, Oley Valley School District.
• Nicole Kauker, autistic support teacher, Reading School District.
• Caitlyn Brice, emotional support teacher, Tulpehocken School District.
• Kimberly Patterson, nurse, Twin Valley School District.
• Brittany Smith, autistic support teacher, Wilson School District.
• Karla Schlappich, school psychologist, Wyomissing School District.
Source: Berkshire mont
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