Quyana to Vija Kania at Chinook Elementary! Vija is one of those teachers who contributes behind the scenes and rarely gets the “glory” for a job well done. For at least the second year she has coordinated with Dimond High School to have student tutors work with our school. This year we had over 70 Dimond High students engaged in this activity. Vija has taken this project on as one she feels passionate about and the rest of us benefit from her enthusiasm. She helps arrange for training for the tutors, matches them with host classrooms, sends out reminders about submitting grades and creates a schedule that works for each teacher. I am thankful for her willingness to coordinate this wonderful project for our school. -Cheryl Hilmes, peer
Quyana to Barb Pope at Bragaw Residential Treatment Center! No one could ask for a better co-worker than Barb Pope!! She is enthusiastic, hard working, positive, and always goes above and beyond for her students. She comes in on the weekends and spends countless hours of her own time to assure that everything is running smoothly in the classroom. Barb is always spending extra time with her students, and often "shops the bargains" to make sure that these students, who live within a residential treatment facility, have the kinds of things that bring happiness — from books to read to new socks! She also goes above and beyond for her peers...she shares great ideas, helps solves daily problems, and even finds lost papers and coffee cups! This is Barb's first year in the Special Schools Program. She has had to learn a whole new system, and she has done so with grace! This is Barb's last year of teaching...she is heading off to the world of retirement. One thing is most certain — her co-workers and her students will miss her GREATLY! -Karen Williams, peer
Quyana to Deanna Youngren at Hanshew Middle School! Thank you for making this year easier for us and our son by bringing your experience and knowledge into working with him. You are a wonderful teacher and case manager and we thank you for your patience, thoroughness, and coordination of his program. This year has been smooth for him and it couldn't have happened without your help and specialized expertise. Thank you for all that you do, it is truly appreciated. -Melanie, parent
Quyana to Holly Anderson at Hanshew Middle School! It has been a joy to work with you this year and last. Thank you for your caring and interest in helping my son for the past two years. It has made a huge difference in his ability to learn and feel comfortable at school. I wish to thank you for all your hard work and highlight your excellence in the ability to work with special kids. Thank you for all that you do. -Melanie, parent
Quyana to Rachel Smith at Chugiak High School! Ms. Smith has stepped in to help my son during a year of medical issues to stay in school and motivated to finish the year. She has gone above and beyond my expectations. Thank you! -Gale Moore, parent
Quyana to Karen McCoy and Danie Hesson at Homestead Elementary! Karen McCoy and Danie Hesson are two fabulous teacher assistants who go well beyond their call of duty. These two wonderful individuals have truly dedicated their roles in helping students with disabilities be successful and proud of themselves. They have high standards and the students rise to them! Karen and Danie are also fantastic team players who work together as a dynamite team. Their communication skills, creative juices, consistency, and dedication have made a tremendous impact within the Extended Resource classroom at Homestead Elementary. It has really been and continues to be a privilege to work these unique hardworking individuals! -Lesley Terry, Special Education Teacher
Quyana to Debra Weems at Sand Lake Elementary! I have been fortunate to be spending this school year working under the mentorship of Mrs. Debbie Weems at Sand Lake Elementary. Debbie has taught me more about what it takes to be a special education teacher over this past year than I could ever gain from any class I can take. The love, patience, understanding, dedication and commitment that Mrs. Weems shows her students is amazing. She is the backbone of our resource department. Thank you for showing me the ropes Mrs. Weems and I hope that I am half the resource teacher that you are!! -Laurie Rodgers, substitute teacher
Quyana to Toni Stark at Steller! I would like to take this opportunity to thank Toni Stark for all her hard work and support she gives to students at Steller. My son has been in her class for the two years he has been at Steller. Toni is always there when he needs the extra support. Toni gives him the extra that helps him succeed. She is a very caring teacher. She wants them to feel good about themselves and she helps them achieve that. She is an outstanding teacher with such a caring heart. Thank you for being a part of the Anchorage School District. -Vicki Smith, parent
Quyana to Jeffery Bevier, Scott Campbell, Angel Ortiz, Anne Weber, Howard Sparrow at Dimond High School! Recently my son was obviously distraught over a loss of his very good friend and I was very worried for him. It seemed like he might not make it through the rest of his school year. Not knowing who to turn to and what I was going to do to help him get back up spiritually and emotionally, I e-mailed his teachers hoping to build a team of people that would be there for him. Today after such a short time I have my beautiful son back. He is joking, laughing and smiling thanks to his wonderful teachers. They might think that they didn't do anything but I know they were such a friend and support at a time a parent needed the most. A very grateful mother. -Molly Creasey, parent
Quyana to Barbara Kovarik at Russian Jack Elementary! I have witnessed Mrs. Kovarik's teaching methods first hand, via two children who were students in her class. Today was the first time I was fortunate enough to participate in a field trip with my youngest daughter. I was never available for my oldest daughter's trips (she is now in 6th grade). However, her father was, and was always amazed by Ms. K's abilities to keep the kids under control.
I was totally enthralled by Mrs. Kovarik's ability to get these children under control during the outing. My own daughter would not listen to me during the outing, but Ms. K - she got her attention ten-fold in a movement of her hands in sign language and a few words, and Kylie was under control. Aa were the other totally out of control boisterous children!!!!
I have two children I deal with on a daily basis only after school and on weekends. We depend on our teachers to teach them the things they need to be taught and then send them home. The parents on the field trip were all TOTALLY impressed with her ability to get 16 children under control with a few words and sign language.
As I was waiting for us to leave today, I was noticing all of Barbara's 'teaching tools' over the years, the HUGE laminated sheets to teach specific things, the calendars, the pictures of each child in the calendar of who may be absent for the day . Then I wondered, "Who will be the lucky recipients of these wonderful teaching tools?" When I was teaching, I would have whipped out my checkbook and paid for whatever she was asking. These tools, you can tell, are very well thought out for her 30+ years. Any future kindergarten teacher would be a fool to pass up these wonderful gifts that she has worked so hard on over the years.
Barbara Kovarik not only deserves a kudos from us, but eventually I would love for her to be named Teacher of the Year. She is truly a gem to ASD, Russian Jack and our children. I will be so very sorry to see her retire after this school year. -Susan (Welcher) Clark, parent
