Rosalind Johnson, 2005 Para of the Year

Rosalind has been a paraeducator for 7 years and Works at Edison Elementary School In the Tacoma School District

Quotes about Rosalind from paras, teachers, students and parents:

“ I am new this year and have never met a paraeducator that was so outstanding and informative to a new paraeducator.”

“During my observations of Rosalind she has provided explicit instruction with high competency and knowledge of the content. She has greatly impacted student achievement.”

“Rosalind has been involved in every team meeting, attended many professional development classes and, comes early and stays late to help prepare materials. She has found effective ways to foster a love of learning and a sense of accomplishment in the students he or she teaches every day.”

“She is always helping all of the kids”

“ She or he always makes me laugh and makes me feel better”

“ She has done wonders with my children. I don’t know what we would do with out him or her.”

Exerpts from Rosalinds nomination:

Rosalind Johnson is a Skillful communicator and has the ability to reach her audience no matter who that may be. She has the ability to balance tough love with professionalism with the most difficult to manage children.

Rosalind faces difficult situations as a challenge with an “I can do make this work” attitude. She is ready to take on even undesirable assignments saying, “That’s no Problem“ and "Bring it on!” Rosalind was one of the first to take the ETS ParaPro test (and passed) she then coached others into taking the test which assisted the district in having the majority of the paras in the district meet the requirement in a relatively short time.

Rosalind joins the trainings being offered to teachers in her or his building. The knowledge and skills gained add to this her deep knowledge of curriculum, effective instruction and behavior management. In addition to the many curriculum and instruction classes this paras has taken, she also has taken courses to aid in understanding Spanish to be able to communicate better with the growing Hispanic population in the school.

Three out of five of the children in Edison Elementary School live in poverty and well over half are either African American or of mixed ethnicity. Overtime, Rosalind has proven her trustworthiness, her understanding, her skill in working with sensitive cultural issues and she has developed a remarkable ability to bridge the gap for families whose children might otherwise fall through the cracks.

Rosalind is a role model for the children in her school, they look up to her as an example of how hard work, good manners and positive attitude can help you get you the skills needed to complete school, get a rewarding job and have a healthy satisfying life. Lot’s of children accidentally call this Rosalind gramma or auntie because for many of the children she exemplifies the inner strength and warm spirit they desperately need in their lives.

Congratulations Rosalind Johnson, 2005 Paraeducator of the Year! Thank you for your dedication to helping children succeed.

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