POSTED APRIL 2023
Earlier this month, we celebrated National Paraprofessional Appreciation Day. The paras, instructional assistants and teacher’s aides at North East ISD play a crucial role in supporting our students, teachers, staff and community.
Bradley Middle School Paraprofessional Kathy Hunt has been helping students and teachers reach their goals for nearly 30 years—20 of them have been at Bradley.
“Kids I had are now having their kids—and they still remember me. We become like their aunts and grandmothers.”
This year, Hunt helps with seventh-grade Texas History and Science, eighth-grade Math and U.S. History. She also helps out in ALE PE. So, she’s busy. Her day is filled with helping teachers teach and students learn. And while every day is different for Hunt, her goal remains the same, to advocate for her students and teach them to advocate for themselves.
“Teachers have a lot to do in the classroom, so our role is the little guardian angel to help them. We work as a team because every child learns a little differently. It’s not that the students can’t do it. They just need the tools. They just need the confidence. So, I try to give them that.”
Hunt first got started by volunteering with students who struggled with reading. So, she suggests volunteering to anyone wanting to get involved. It may just open the door to a lifelong passion.
“Working with the kids is so rewarding. The kids make you feel good. And when they succeed, you succeed.”
Thank you, Kathy, and all of the paraprofessionals who work so hard and care for our students and staff #theNEISDway
