My name is Mayra Rivera and I have been an assistant teacher for the past 11 years. I would like to thank Mrs. Verlinda McGough, a special education teacher. She has been a wonderful example, mentor, and friend to me.
When I first started with the Department of Education in 1996 she was the teacher I worked with and continued to work with for the next 6 or 7 years. I remember always seeing her come into school with bags (she always looked like she was moving in), and at the end of the day she would leave with bags (looking like she was moving out). I would ask her why not just leave the stuff at school. Her response: "My work doesn't end at 3:00. I take it home and work some more."
She always had papers to grade, calls to make to children's homes regarding helping them with their homework or a note a Mom sent regarding her child, or an art project she wanted to do with the children, or a book she wanted to review to read to the children. She never stopped! If little Johnny was having a hard time learning how to read, she would research different methods or programs that would help him learn. She always went above and beyond her job!
In turn, working with her I would and still always go above and beyond my job duties! She taught me so much about children and how to teach them with love, understanding, and tough love at times, to help them become the best they can be! She taught me how to connect with the parents and not just help the child but help the families with school and home life at times. She taught me how the child, school, and family were all one when it came to helping the child learn. Mrs. McGough took me by the hand and opened her heart to teach me as well as she taught the children. Any question I ever had regarding academics, she would always take the time to explain how and why she did things.
In turn, every time anyone ever compliments me on how wonderful a teacher I am I always say a silent thank you to Mrs. Verlinda McGough because she is the one who made me be the very best I can be as a teacher and advocate for the children! Special Education is truly her calling!
-Mayra Rivera
Assistant Teacher,