I truly enjoy working with all of my students on a daily basis. Middle school is a unique environment where students are often faced with multifaceted challenges. As a special education teacher, I often have to find an eclectic way to help students succeed whether it is an academic or social challenge. My colleagues are an excellent resource when I am looking for fresh ideas to help a child achieve their potential. Each day is an opportunity to make an impact on my students where I try to instill that a positive attitude and kindness go a long way. Fostering lasting lessons whether they are academic or life lessons, is extremely rewarding.

The Wayne School District provides students and teachers with various opportunities to facilitate learning. After 26 years in education, I continue to learn from my district and colleagues to become a more accomplished educator with each school year. I am so grateful to work each day with my co-teacher developing lesson plans and discussing ways to motivate our students. The teachers in my building are truly a collaborative team that believes in not only educating our students but creating a nurturing environment which establishes a mutual respect between students and teachers. All of these efforts at GWMS are facilitated by our supportive administration. I am fortunate to be a resident in Wayne where I see my former students out in the community working or continuing to pursue their education. It is gratifying to hear how much they have grown personally and how much they appreciate the year they spent with us.

As a Speech-Language Specialist, the most rewarding part of my job is seeing my students make progress toward their goals. Whether it is teaching a child how to say a specific sound, follow directions, or socialize with their peers, I love helping my students learn skills they can use their whole life. I enjoy getting to know each student on my caseload, and developing a rapport with them.

As a former Wayne Township Public School student, I feel lucky to be able to work in the town where I attended school. Wayne Township Public Schools provides an excellent education and offers a variety of after-school activities for students. I have the opportunity to collaborate often with my colleagues in the speech-language department across the district, which has been valuable. I feel fortunate to have supportive administrators and colleagues who have helped to shape me into the Speech-Language Specialist I am today.