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2006 SEAstar Award winners
Vanessa Bonds
Teaching Assistant
Brooks Middle School
Mrs. Bonds embodies what a teaching assistant should be. While
thoroughly enjoying the student with whom she works, she carries out
her job in a very professional manner. She encourages independence,
respects her student's needs and requests, and takes time to learn
computer programs and other technology in order to better assist her
student. Mrs. Bonds works cooperatively with the various classroom
teachers so that she supports what they are doing. Mrs. Bonds is a gem!
Avivah Buie
Resource Teacher
Holmes School
Avivah Buie is the person who evaluated and recognized our son’s total
lack of understanding of math concepts. She has been vigilant and
resourceful in helping him receive as much support in math and reading
as possible. I was beginning to despair of his academic future until
she gave her report at the IEP meeting. Thank you, Avivah!
Diane Conmy
3rd Grade Teacher
Lincoln School
Ms. Conmy treats all children in her class with respect and
sensitivity. With our son she has been instrumental in increasing his
self-esteem and making him feel good about his accomplishments. Not
only does she acknowledge and provide supports for his disability, she
also recognizes his potential and pushes him to not just meet
expectations, but to exceed them. Ms. Conmy is a teacher who truly
understands differentiated education. To quote our son - "She does
stuff in different ways which makes it easier for me to learn to read."
Phillip Cook
Chemistry Teacher
OPRF
Phillip Cook is my child's chemistry teacher at OPRF. Chemistry is not
her favorite subject, but Mr. Cook is a great teacher and has made it
interesting and fun for the entire class. He provides class notes for
everyone in his class so that each student can concentrate on learning
what he is teaching, and not worry about taking notes. This has allowed
my daughter to be actively engaged and successful in his class. Also,
every 2-3 weeks he emails me and other parents, the class syllabus and
schedule; the same one he passes out to his students. Thank you Mr.
Cook!
Moe Donoghue
Driver
Blue Cab Company
Moe is a jovial man who always comes to our door with a smile on his
face and a cheery good morning. Moe takes our son to his out of
district school every day. This takes an hour to and then back, and
then he does the same trip again in the afternoon. Moe takes 4 hours of
time each day to take my child safely to and from a school that is
nurturing and mindful of my son’s abilities. Along the way, they talk,
they sing songs, or my son plays one of his favorite DVDs to pass the
time. They have become buddies. Moe makes a long trip bearable and
pleasant and for that we are forever grateful.
Tasha Dudley
Teaching Assistant
Lincoln School
Tasha Dudley is not only a great teacher to my daughter, but she is a
dear friend to her. Ms. Dudley really cares for her students’ academic
achievements, their emotional well being and their individual
successes. She works hard each day to find time in my daughter’s busy
schedule to work with her one on one, reiterating the tasks that are
demanded of her. Ms. Dudley has come up with creative ideas to keep my
daughter engaged in the topics, on task, and feeling the joy of
learning. She has kept us thoroughly updated with the different tasks
that they have been working on and offers suggestions for us to work on
at home. She starts out each entry with “K” had a great day!" and I
believe she does have a great day every day due to Ms. Dudley’s care
and attention. I will always be grateful for all she has done for our
little seastar- helping to save her from being lost on the beach.
Dee Farmer
Director - PKP
Longfellow School
Dr. Farmer has been tremendouslymy family.She helped me to get my older
daughter diagnosed; she took myinto the great PKP program; and she's
always been a consolation to me.I did not have any other person to turn
to when my family was struggling but Dr. Farmer gave us wonderful
guidance. Every year, Dr. Farmer takes many, many children and their
families under her wing when they need help. Her dedication, expertise,
humor and love make her a super star in her field and a beacon of hope
to those of us who need a helping hand.
Coretta Moore
Teaching Assistant
Irving School
Mrs. Coretta Moore has been our son's full-time teaching assistant for
a few short months. During this time, his grades and test scores have
improved; his self-esteem has increased; incidents of bad behavior have
been reduced; social interaction with peers has been smoother; and he
has been a happier and more cheerful child. Mrs. Moore has gone above
and beyond what is expected of a teaching assistant by keeping detailed
logs and notes of his behavior. This information has been very valuable
in the creation of a comprehensive Behavior Intervention Plan by the
school social worker.
Sherri Primak
Teaching Assistant
Lincoln School
Mrs. Primak is my son’s assistant in his Kindergarten classroom. He has
autism and has made amazing progress this year thanks to the help that
Mrs. Primak provides. She is firm but very loving with him and she has
taken the time to really get to know him and get to know what he is
capable of. She helps him work towards his personal best every day. She
is challenging but patient and kind. She has made a huge difference in
his life.
Michael Seitzinger
Substitute Resource Teacher
Brooks Middle School
Mr. Seitzinger became my son's resource teacher when the regular one
was on leave. He was relentlessly positive and open to any and all
suggestions. He worked with the other teachers to help them to
understand my son's issues. But he also connected with him as a person.
He came in before classes to go over school work, answer questions and
even to play music with the kids. He really went out of his way to
connect with my son, telling him that he was capable of doing better
and making it virtually impossible for him to not succeed. Our family
will be eternally grateful to his attention to our son.
Jasmine Sloan
Special Education Teacher
Julian Middle School
Jasmine Sloan is the kind of teacher that makes you feel secure. You
know she has control of the classroom, and you know she is keeping an
eye out for the safety of your child. She answers e-mails immediately
and works with my daughter's math tutor. She talks to me and responds
to me when I am frustrated or concerned. I know she is on my side. When
I was at an IEP meeting with her, I knew she would back up the concerns
I expressed. Ms. Sloan is one-of-a-kind!
Stella Turi
3rd Grade Teacher
Holmes School
Stella Turi is our son’s 3rd grade teacher. He has ADHD and perhaps
learning disabilities. She has been awesome in her modifications and
accommodations to help him learn without making him feel stupid or
self-conscious and supported his IEP qualification. She has been kind
and loving, yet firm and structured, has appropriate expectations for
his progress and does not give up on him! I really don't know what we
would have done this year without her.