"Teacher of the Year"
Sis. Tasha Rachel was recently voted “Teacher of the Year” at Wingate Oaks Center. In addition, she has been nominated as “Broward County Teacher of the Year.” Sis. Rachel, who earned her B.SC.in Education from Florida Memorial University, is a specialist in teaching students with intellectual disabilities. In fact, she had a humble genesis in dealing with disabled children. For example, she started off as a bus aide in Broward County assisting children with disabilities for several years.
“It’s an honor to be nominated as Teacher of the Year,” Rachel said. She added, “Success for my students, might not be an A or B, but simply being able to communicate with me.” Some of her students are non-verbal. So, for them to tell her that they want a cup of water might not happen. However, she noted, “In my class the littlest thing, is the greatest thing,” Rachel said.
“I would like to salute Tasha for achieving this major milestone,” Pastor Jeffrey Thompson said. It should be noted that she teaches sixth graders, and is a member of Infinite Praise and is the Choir Director for Kids of Praise. She is in the process of completing a Masters degree at Capella University. Her emphasis is in reading and literacy. She is the daughter of John & Phyllis Rachel and is a member of the Ft. Lauderdale Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Wingate Oaks Center is a K-12 multi-handicapped school within the central area of Broward County, Florida. The school provides a quality education to students, whose needs are best met within a small structured environment. Wingate Oaks Center serves students that have been as students with intellectual disabilities, medically fragile, behaviorally complex, autistic and physically impaired. The student population is composed of 33% White, 44% Black, 15% Hispanic and 6% other.
To see an interview with Sis. Tasha Rachel, log onto: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c8Wd1lolWo&feature=share
(Article by Pastor Jeffrey Thompson)
