Andrews Elementary School 2026

Jennifer Karim

Andrews ElementarySchool - Special Education Teacher - Structured
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Teaching Philosophy

As a Special Education Teacher in a self-contained classroom, my philosophy of teaching centers on the belief that students can learn and grow when given the appropriate support, high expectations, and a nurturing environment. Every student deserves access to instruction that supports their individual strengths, needs, and abilities.

Working with students who have Individualized Education Plans, I get to collaborate with multiple adults who are equally invested in the student's success. I value the open communication with families, general education teachers, related service providers, as well as, administrators. I send home daily reports for each of my students to inform parents of what they are learning, what we need to work on, and what we can celebrate. When parents are well informed, there is less confusion or surprises when it's time for conferences or the annual IEP meeting. Communicating with parents has also helped me understand what my students are working on at home and how we can help support that learning at school. The collaboration between all these individuals ensures consistency in the support that the students receive across all learning environments and is key to the students' growth.

It is very important to maintain high expectations for all students so that we can work on their individual challenges together. In my classroom, we work on building independence in daily living skills, communication, and behavior, aside from their academics. My students are always given the opportunity to try to do something independently before getting help and many have proven their independence in certain areas or have grown to show their independence. By targeting specific skills, we are able to celebrate their progress, which in turn helps develop their confidence and positive attitude towards learning.

My goal is to create a nurturing environment where students develop a love for learning. I always make sure to give my students the warmest greeting each morning, lots of hugs throughout the day, and celebrate their least progress so that they know they are loved at school. I enjoy creating a calm and positive atmosphere in the classroom to avoid making students any more anxious than they may already be. Structure and consistency are also vital so my classroom has visual schedules, visuals to mark areas in the classroom, visuals for routines and token boards for positive reinforcement. Students are more willing to engage in learning when they know they are safe and can rely on the structure and routine they are familiar with.

Teaching in a self-contained special education classroom, I strive to be an advocate for every student who steps foot in my classroom. Teaching is a big responsibility and a privilege. I am dedicated to creating an environment where all students are supported, challenged and celebrated as they learn and grow. I enjoy what I get to do every day.

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Principal's Recommendation

Dear Teacher of the Year Selection Committee:

It is with great pride and honor that Andrews Elementary nominates Ms. Jennifer Karim for the Plano ISD Teacher of the Year award. Ms. Karim truly embodies the beliefs and mission of Plano ISD by educating, inspiring, and empowering every student to reach their unique potential—especially those who require the greatest level of support.

Ms. Karim has served the Andrews Elementary community for the past four years as a special education teacher in the Elevate classroom. Her dedication to students extends beyond Andrews, as she has also served Plano ISD as a special education resource teacher, co-team leader, and teacher assistant. In every role she has held, Ms. Karim has been a steadfast advocate for students, quietly and consistently championing their needs each day.

A true team player, Ms. Karim approaches every collaboration by asking how she can support her colleagues. She models professionalism and respect by consistently expressing gratitude and valuing the contributions of others. Through her actions, she elevates those around her—students and staff alike—by fostering a deeper understanding of the learners she serves. This nomination is not only recognition of her excellence as an educator, but also our collective way of saying "thank you," just as she so graciously does for others.

Ms. Karim works closely with general education teachers to co-plan lessons, adapt materials, and implement differentiated instructional strategies that make learning accessible and engaging for all students. She generously shares tools for behavior support, data collection, and individualized lesson planning. Her calm coaching style, willingness to model strategies, and ability to break complex needs into manageable steps empower teachers to meet the diverse needs of their classrooms. Through her collaborative efforts, Ms. Karim strengthens instructional practices and promotes a truly inclusive learning environment at Andrews.

Her passion for student success is evident in the way she nurtures both academic growth and character development. Ms. Karim consistently models kindness, responsibility, and perseverance, embedding these values into daily instruction so students learn not only academic skills, but also how to be thoughtful, capable members of their community. Working with students who require significant support, she demonstrates kindness in her voice, consistency in her expectations, and hope in the way she celebrates even the smallest victories. Academically, she continuously seeks new strategies, showing endless patience and compassion as she guides students to feel confident, motivated, and proud of their progress. One notable example of this recently is when our school had each classroom complete a "Thankful Turkey" feather to showcase all of the things our students are thankful for during November. Ms. Karim took the time to create visuals that correspond to her students' voice output devices so they could fill in the blanks for what they are thankful for using images they knew. The pride her students had in sharing their work touched the hearts of many in our school.

It is through those seemingly small but impactful ways that Ms. Karim's impact reaches far beyond her classroom. She makes a deeply positive difference in the lives of students, staff, and families at Andrews through her compassion, dedication, and unwavering belief in every child. Students feel safe, valued, and supported in her care. Colleagues rely on her as a calm, knowledgeable partner who is always willing to collaborate and share effective practices. Her kindness extends to families as well, as she communicates with warmth, celebrates progress, and helps parents feel hopeful, heard, and included. Through her daily actions and meaningful relationships, Ms. Karim strengthens the Andrews community and inspires everyone around her.

Thank you for your consideration of this exceptional educator. We hope you will join us in recognizing Ms. Jennifer Karim by honoring her as Plano ISD's Teacher of the Year.

Sincerely,

Elyse Daly
Principal
Andrews Elementary School