Paraprofessional of the Year: Stephanie Syrock
Mrs. Syrock has been at the Junior High for one year. She has an incredible servants heart. Every task and responsibility is done with a smile and enthusiasm. I want to share a few words from her colleagues:
- Mrs. Syrock exemplifies patience in the classroom even when met with pushback. She never slacks and is always willing to help.
- Ms. Syrock is an all around rock star who has taken on many responsibilities in her role at PJH. Not only is a huge support for inclusion with our special populations, she takes her job as lunch monitor seriously as she should.
- Mrs. Syrock is very dedicated to making sure her students are completing assignments and understanding in class. She goes above and beyond by typing up notes for absent students and ensuring they have what they need to succeed.
- She is cheerful, cam, kind and fair. She is a coworker that I can depend on. I am proud and thankful to work along side her.
- She is just an all around good person. She always has a smile on her face and never complains about anything.
I nominate Mrs. Syrock because how can I not? Her first day in my classroom started with the vibe of "what can I do to help ensure and encourage the academic success of the students?" I completely stopped in my tracks for meeting an individual that matched my energy of always wanting and willing to help others. What I at times see as an extremely difficult demand, she looks at as DONE and what's next. Mrs. Syrock has a bubbly and happy attitude every day when she enters my room and is always willing to work for the students. She maintains professionalism at all times and communicates effectively with faculty, staff, students and parents. Did I mention that she has two jobs??? Mrs. Syrock is a Bus Driver and Paraprofessional for the district. HOW AWESOME IS THAT??! I'm thankful not only for her assistance in my classroom but for safely driving the students to school. Thank you, Mrs. Syrock for your constant communication with me regarding assisting the school numerous times due to substitute shortages and for making me laugh! You truly deserve this honor!
Teacher of the Year: Linda Laughlin
Mrs. Laughlin is an amazing educator who has made it her life's mission to pour into our students. Mrs. Laughlin goes above and beyond for all stakeholders. She has served as a science teacher, TMSCA Coach, UIL Science Coach and Student Council Coach. I would like to share some words from Mrs. Laughlin:
My Story
As I look back on my 21 year career as an educator, I have mixed emotions. My decision to teach was made when I walked in m son's 1st grade classroom in the mid 90's. The rain was pouring and I needed to bring him something. I made my way to his portable and went in. The room was relaxing and students were all at work. I made my decision then and there that I wanted to teach. Little did I know that most days there is no silence and sometimes very little work is happening, but it is ALWAYS exciting! I have seen many changes in education come and go. I've also seen principals and superintendents come and go, but one thing that never changes in that kids need us. I think now more than ever.
The transition through Covid and after has been a particularly difficult one, but watching the dedicated educators who have hung in and lead students and colleagues through the storm have come out stronger on the other side. The media has turned out attention to safety in the classroom, but this has not stopped the educator in all of us from doing our best to lead our students back to the main purpose, which is education and helping kids. These distractions pull us off center over and over again, but we all do our best to pull out our compass and head back to the classroom.
There are times of frustration and times of joy, sometimes all in the same day (or maybe the same period). Sometimes we struggle to get going in the morning or make it to the end of the day, but the heart of a teacher is stamina and perseverance because they need us. We are building and shaping the future. We will probably never know how each have affected the lives of the students, parent and colleagues we interact with over the years, but we have. We do our best to leave positive, lasting impressions.
As I clean out my many years of living in my classroom and working day in and day out, I have come across lessons and pictures that bring me back to why I do what I do, and once again I am reminded I do this because they need me and I need them. As I move on to a different set of daily routines, I know classrooms will change and evolve, but the heart of a teacher will remain the same.
