By Ashlyn Belote

Staff Writer

On Mar. 3, Belton resident Susie Marek was awarded the 2026 Central Texas Remarkable Woman of the Year for her work in helping families living with disabilities in the community. Hosted by Nexstar Media, this annual award is given to women across the United States to recognize their leadership in their communities. Marek was surprised she earned this award, but also felt it still inspired her to keep up with her work and what she was doing. “This has inspired me to continue what we’re doing and to help families know that they’re not alone,” Marek said. 

As an advocate for individuals with disabilities living in the Waco-Belton area, Marek was inspired by her son Logan, who has autism, and his close friend Evan Smith, who is neurotypical, to bring inclusivity into not only the community, but education as well. Because of this, she would help to establish the Marek-Smith Center for Teacher Preparation at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. This center helps undergraduate education majors be able to experience teaching by directly working with those ages 3-21 who have disabilities. Since its opening in 2025, it has served almost 80 students each day.  

Marek believes in inclusivity in the classroom and its importance, stating that it’s important that neurotypical and neurodivergent peers interact. “I feel like it’s a double blessing,” Mareck said. “Students with disabilities have interaction with neurotypical peers. If they weren’t included in the community and there wasn’t that inclusion, we wouldn’t have this relationship.”  

She also advised students interested in working special education to be more understanding of the children they’re working with and to look past what “limits” them and to investigate their abilities and what they can do instead. “When you’re a special ed teacher, look at their possibilities, not their limitations. Don’t let their disability define them.”