Carol Frost, Paraeducator at Tahoma Senior High School in Maple Valley

Dear Paraeducators Folks,

If I were able to speak I could tell you how much I love my one-on-one Para Ms. Carol Frost See, I have a form of Autism called Angelman Syndrome I cannot speak, cannot learn as fast as other kids and have bigger issues than even my special friends My family made a very difficult but necessary move for me from Denver, Colorado to Maple Valley, Washington this year.

I went from a totally comfortable special needs community program to a new school, new teachers, and new special peers One of the hardest things for me is to do is to transition between events and classes I don't mean to be, but according to my mom and dad I can at times be “testy", (whatever that means) especially when I feel scared and have trouble communicating my thoughts appropriately Ms. Frost absolutely "rocks my world" She is the reason I can not only survive, but thrive in my high school She works really hard to understand me as a person first, and then identifies ways for me to communicate effectively with others Ms. Carol has taken the time to learn my many complicated voice output computer systems, (Yes, I have more than one!) Ms. Carol has even taken an American Sign Language class in the evenings at the local community college on her own time without even getting paid to help support my ASL needs! Wow!

When I first arrived at Tahoma Senior High School, I felt very much alone and had to rely on other ways to get kids attention. Ms. Frost more than anything, helps me to connect with the typical peers Most of the students were afraid of the "unpredictability" in my behavior, but with Ms. Frost's help I now have real friends I went to Cold Stone Ice Cream the other day, and these girls said "Hi Mellie" to me More kids even gave me hugs at the choir concert the other night, all because my teacher Mr. Riggs welcomed me to be a part of the choir, even though I can only sing one note! .

Ms. Carol has so much compassion; she just cannot help but encourage me to do new and different things Ms. Frost is working with the horticulture teacher, the high school administration and the other special students to partake in creating an enabling school garden were I can work along side my special and typical peers. (This is a first for me!) We are excited to take on new challenges, together Without Ms. Carol in my life, I just could not survive high school She is my mentor, she enables me to fully participate in my school environment, and she helps others to move from being afraid of me, to one of true acceptance.

Ms. Carol, I really love who you are and what you do for me and with me I cannot begin to tell you how much hope you brought into my life this year I cannot speak, but you helped others to see that I really do have a lot to say. Thank you Ms. Carol Frost. I am signing “I Love You” in ASL right this very moment.

Sincerely,
Mellie

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