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Superintendent
Honors Four Employees with Service Awards
April 13, 2006
This
is the first in a series of articles featuring Dr. Doug Otto’s
four Superintendent Service Award winners.
Schimelpfenig
Middle School Assistant Enjoys One-on-One Work with
Special Needs Students
 When
Azam Anet began working as a teaching assistant at Schimelpfenig
Middle School, she brought seven years of teaching experience from
Iran. Being new to the United States, she was unable to express
herself the way she wanted. “I have two kids who were unable
to speak English at all,” she said. “So I have been
able to understand my students who have a hard time learning.”
After
spending one-year in the classroom as a full-time teacher, Ms.
Anet said that she realized she is better suited to serving as
a teaching assistant. “I
have to be honest with myself,” she said. “I want more time to
help students who need me 100 percent. That is what I do best: help students
one-on-one.” In full agreement is student Anissa Leyva, who said, “If
it wasn’t for her, I couldn’t have passed a grade. She is always
willing to explain things in different ways to help me understand.”
Eric
Edling, a seventh grader, said that Ms. Anet “wants us to get things
perfectly...She’s very pressing on that.”
English Teacher Laura
Mullen remarked, “Azam takes on each child like a nurturing guarding,
seeking for them to find the good in themselves and strength to succeed. Lucky
is any child who has Azam’s attention.”
Ms. Azam said, "I always have high expectations from my students
any myself. I start learning by reading text books, practicing
on the
computer
and even working on projects.
"As a special education
assistant, I have the chance to work with students with a variety
of special needs such as Angleman Syndrome, Autism, learning disabilities,
etc. During the past three years, I have been able to make difference
for many students who didn’t believe that they were capable
of being successful because of their past experience dealing with
their disabilities and frustrating classroom experience.
" I always
use myself as an example for them, and I tell them 'If my
kids and I were able to do it, you can do it too.' I always
ask my student to write three goals for their school year such
as being organized, learning how to study or looking at the homework
as the key to being successful.
"Then we both focus on these goals.
There is so much more to learning than just the text and facts.
There is a pattern that goes on every year. The first six weeks,
I see many days that students cry or have low confidence. Every
now and then I remind them of goals. I never allow the thought
that they can’t do it, instead I believe in hard work and
not giving up, and I believe in them. The second six weeks is the
time that slowly I begin to see satisfaction in their eyes which
pretty soon changes to a big smile.
"From that point to the end
of the year I encourage them to try to reach higher goals. Because
of their success, I feel I’m getting paid more than anybody
else at PISD."
Features coming soon about....
- Karen Anderson, Facility Services
- Dave Marshall, Bus Driver
- Annick Simmons, Carlisle Elementary Food Service Employee
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"The first six weeks,
I see many days that students cry or have low confidence.
Every now and then
I remind them of goals. I never allow the thought
that they can’t
do it, instead I believe in hard work and not giving
up, and I believe in them."
-Azam Anet
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