BOARD NOTICE:
Meet Michelle Warlick and Rhonda Hewitt, two returners from the paraprofessional team, and Michael Galligan, a new addition to the team.
Paraprofessionals do small everyday work to help classes run functionally, also acting as helpers for teachers, assisting them with individual students and small groups, or organization.
STAFF MEMBERS:
Warlick has been working at Liberty since 2006.
“I [majored] in math and physics education, then ended up getting married and having three kids in 5 years, so I stayed home until they were old enough to start school. I then went back into it, and someone suggested I try being a para, because it’s easier work,” Warlick said.
This year, she is a paraprofessional for five math classes and two lab methods classes.
Hewitt has been working at Liberty since October of 1997.
“I got involved with the school district after an earlier career and then being a stay-at-home mom. I thought it would be a convenient job since my own two daughters went to school here. I have lived in the community for my whole life, so there are lots of connections in this area. It has been fun to see my daughters, nieces, nephews, their friends and now my own grandchildren come through Liberty,” Hewitt said.
For the past several years, she has been able to work in her favorite classes: fashion, health, and the LCafe.
It is Galligan’s first year working at Liberty as a paraprofessional in Science and Culinary.
“At my old job last year, I was substituting in the district as a teacher and para. I have a son here at Liberty and a daughter who will be here in a couple years, so I kind of wanted to be here so I could get to know the school, teachers, and environment,” Galligan said.
Galligan is not only teaching students, but also learning himself.
“I’m learning again because of cooking class- I like to cook at home. The last time I took a science class was many years ago, so it’s kind of fun to relearn that and just getting to know that the teachers are fun,” Galligan said.
IMPORTANT:
Paraprofessionals play a big role in the growth of students.
Warlick hopes that she can gain the students’ trust.
“I’d like the student to be able to trust me enough to let me help them. Sometimes it takes quite a while to break through some kids and get them to understand that I can help. It doesn’t always happen, but when you get the breakthrough, when you see the light go on, that’s the best part,” Warlick said.
She has also noticed how much students can grow during high school.
Galligan hopes that he can help the students reach their specific goals.
“Some students do have specific goals depending on who they are, but for me, I’m just going to help them if they need to get organized. If they need to find a way to finish an assignment or get back on track, that’s what I’m there for,” Galligan said.
He also hopes that he can be a role model for the students.
“I just hope that I have a positive effect and I can share my enthusiasm and just be someone that the school can rely on, and someone that the kids know that they can turn to,” Galligan said.