More Stories
Farewell, Nurse Connie!
Academy360 bids a fond farewell this month to Nurse Connie Kilroy, who is leaving us for a new adventure after ten years of service.
Meet the Development Team: S360’s Quietest Heroes
They may be seldom seen by Spectrum360 staff, but the results of the Development team's hard work can be seen everywhere on our campuses — from support services to staffing, office supplies to operating expenses and everything in between.
Holiday Times at Academy360
Snapshots from around Academy360 Lower and Upper schools. Holiday concerts, door contests, staff lunches and more.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Livingston, NJ – Spectrum360 proudly announces that David Diianni, Program Director at FilmAcademy360 and Teacher at Academy360, has been named Educator of the Year by the Garden State Film Festival (GSFF). This award recognizes educators for their outstanding contributions to education in the field of film and video production and their impact on the community. It underscores the importance of introducing generations to the cinematic arts and overcoming perceived disabilities. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place at the during the Garden State Film Festival’s Awards Ceremony on Sunday, March 24, in Asbury Park.
David Diianni has been at the helm of FilmAcademy360 for 13 years, providing neurodiverse students with the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of media production, with the ultimate goal of enabling them to secure jobs across various industries. Beyond hands-on learning experiences, David actively guides his students in producing video and digital media for commercial assignments from private companies, non-profit organizations, local government agencies, and local TV and video producers. The program also hosts an annual film festival to showcase and celebrate the students’ creative work. Emphasizing self-expression and vocational exploration, the program not only imparts technical skills but also serves as a platform for students to develop confidence, self-esteem, and form social networks.
David Diianni, the recent recipient of the NJECC George Magdich Leadership Award (2022), and his program have garnered several awards over the years for their outstanding films and projects.
Spectrum360 | Academy360 extends heartfelt congratulations to David Diianni on this well-deserved recognition as the Educator of the Year. To learn more about his remarkable contributions and FilmAcademy360, please visit www.filmacademy360.org.
###
About Spectrum360
For 60 years, Spectrum360 has been a pioneer in serving individuals with special needs. Today, Spectrum360 serves children, adolescents, young adults, and adults on the autism spectrum and related disabilities. Spectrum360’s mission is to provide people with autism and those with related challenges the specialized programs and supports they need to realize their aspirations, lead thriving lives, and fully engage with their families and in their communities. For more information, visit us at https://spectrum360.org/about-us/ or email info@spectrum360.org.
About Garden State Film Festival
The Garden State Film Festival is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization, created to promote the art of filmmaking on all levels. This globally recognized festival also provides creative arts education programs and creates a forum where local and international independent filmmakers can exhibit their work. Their outreach programs also support the U.S. Military, seniors, children, and the underserved populations. Since 2003, thousands of films have made their public premieres, hundreds of thousands of people from around the world have attended; and the total infusion of cash to local businesses since inception exceeds $10 million. It is held in Asbury Park and surrounding area as well as Cranford, NJ. For more information visit gsff.org or email lauren@gsff.org.