Columbus Magnet paraprofessional honored for work
NORWALK — For the last 19 years, Co- lumbus Magnet School has been like a home to Yin Kahler.
The K-5 school is where she has spent most of her career with the district, working as an instructional assistant who helps students through interventions. She has also dedicated her time to enrichment programs and schoolwide initiatives, such as the MLK Peace Games she brought to the school several years ago.
Through the years, she’s seen many students go through Columbus school, including her own son, watching them flourish in the arts-infused school and return as high school students or college graduates.
“You always hope that the children are our future and that you can instill in the the good values so that they will be our stewards for tomorrow,” Kahler said. “And it gives me joy when they come back as high schoolers or college grads and say, ‘This is what I’ve done and I’ve been successful.’ ”
The district recently honored Kahler for her steadfast commitment to her job, recognizing her as Norwalk’s first Paraeducator of the Year.
Columbus Principal Medard Thomas said Kahler not only plays a crucial role in helping children learn to read and write, but also supports children at risk, helps students understand difficult math and even co-teaches social studies and science lessons.
“She provides a broad vision of history, art and our world,” Medard said. “Columbus children adore Mrs. Kahler, and she is well respected among staff and parents.”
Finalists considered for the Norwalk Paraeducator of the Year Award were chosen from nominees for this year’s Norwalk Public Schools Excellence in Educational Support Awards. The Educational Support Awards were designed to honor non-certified staff members who have earned the respect and admiration of students, teachers, administrators, co-workers and parents. These nominations were submitted by colleagues, administrators or parents and then reviewed and finalized by each school’s governance council.
Knowing this, Kahler said she was surprised to hear that she had been selected.
“I was so surprised and very humbled because I just think that there are so many people who do great things in this district and have a love for their school and their children,” Kahler said.
In addition to receiving the award, Kahler will represent Norwalk paraprofessionals in the Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year Program, which was established to recognize the important role of paraeducators in supporting student achievement.
The award was named in honor of Anne Marie Murphy, a paraeducator who died shielding a student from bullets during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. School districts throughout Connecticut can nominate one paraeducator each year for the award.
The 2019 Anne Marie Murphy Paraeducator of the Year will be chosen in late September and honored at the 2019 Teacher of the Year Ceremony in December. Each district-selected Paraeducator of the Year will receive a certificate of recognition from the Commissioner of Education.