Exceptional People Serving Exceptional Children: February 2016

Each month, the Exceptional Children Division highlights some of the people doing exceptional work for exceptional children. The people being highlighted in February teach at Walkertown High School andat  Petree Elementary School.

Maurio Burrell is an EC teacher assistant at Walkertown High School. Mr. Burrell is a fixture at Walkertown High School, having begun working at the school when it opened its doors in 2011. Burrell showed his adaptability when WHS was housed at Atkins High in rotating his testing room period to period and sometimes, day to day. Students love Mr. Burrell because he is invested in the school and in their lives. He is concerned with the whole child and students have come to expect him at events such as prom and graduation. Within the classroom, Mr. Burrell is a true advocate for students’ accommodations. He adheres to each student’s IEP and ensures that teachers follow testing accommodation, as well. Mr. Burrell also volunteered to mentor one of the school’s newly founded Advisory groups. While each certified staff member was expected to head one of these groups, classified employees were not. Mr. Burrell selflessly stepped up to lead a group and will serve as the group’s mentor for the group’s entire tenure at Walkertown High School.

Kevin Thompson is an EC teacher at Walkertown High School. Mr. Thompson embodies the idea that teaching is a calling. After having played in the NBA for several years, Mr. Thompson did not have to take the job of teaching once his basketball career was over, nonetheless one that required such dedication as a special education teacher. To ask him, though, he really did not have a choice. He feels that he was called to teach and this calling is reflected in how he relates to both students and parents. Mr. Thompson is both patient and exacting at the same time. He ensures that his lesson plans always have a real world application and that his students are prepared for their job training. Although he is a new teacher, Mr. Thompson astutely learned the policies and procedures as they relate to EC and is quick to ask questions when he needs clarification or guidance. Mr. Thompson is loved by his students. This love is shown in the students’ desire to make him proud.

Taylor Dawson is an EC teacher at Petree Elementary School. Dawson’s enthusiasm, innovativeness, and dedication to her students educational and personal needs is exemplary. Her flexibility working with students, teachers, schedules, and deadlines has been invaluable. She has been the Petree point person for the IEP process as we transition to a new resource teacher. Her professionalism and flexibility has enabled her to lead colleagues through the IEP process and provide the necessary expertise to meet deadlines in order to support our students who receive services outside of her functional primary classroom.

Nartasha Kimbrough is an EC teacher at Petree Elementary School. Miss Kimbrough is creative and innovative in her instructional approach. She sets high standards for herself, students, and staff members and guides colleagues to ensure those standards are met.  She is constantly broadening her knowledge, sharing with her peers best practices, and providing parental support sessions to build student success. Her leadership has improved teacher instruction, parental involvement, and student success throughout the Exceptional Children’s Pre-K program at Petree.

Rizwana Khan is an EC teacher assistant at Petree Elementary School. Mrs. Khan understands both the students and their individual learning needs. Her dedication to the students, staff, and parents at Petree builds a sense of community. She often encourages her students to communicate with the school community, seeks opportunities to lead by example, and provides opportunities to integrate her students learning with that of peers. Her devotion to community and humanity is demonstrated by her generosity and compassion for all students and staff members. Her students engage in communication activities with peers and staff members, building a sense of unity at Petree.