Paraeducator Of The Year

Donna Bowes

Strong Elementary School
2022-2023

Donna has been working in the District since 2016! She started as a part-time preschool paraeducator at Strong Elementary. In August 2021, Donna accepted a full-time position, leaving the preschool setting, but not leaving Strong! Donna was nominated by three of her colleagues, Caitlin Kelley, Amy Parlato, and Kim Williams.

She shows and models respect * She promotes independence while providing necessary support * Open-minded and flexible * There were many times I stopped to watch the way Donna handled a student and I learned from her * She attends training on her own time to learn ways to help her student learn * She modified all assignments according to the student’s needs * Takes initiative and instituted a sticker chart to assist with the plan * Always student focused * No recommendations for Donna, except to continue being the amazing human and educator that she is *

• 2022-2023 Donna Bowes
• 2021-2022 Lydia Holbrook
• 2020-2021 Suzanne Topper
• 2019-2020 Caroline Turek
• 2018-2019 Anne Lippincott
• 2017-2018 Edit Costanzo
• 2016-2017 Deb Stevens
• 2015-2016 Andrea Cerboni
• 2014-2015 Deb Bender
• 2013-2014 Cathy Riccio
• 2012-2013 Barbara Perretta