Teacher of the Year

A lot of folks have asked me whether or not I got "Teacher of the Year" for the district.  I did not.  No worries, because I was "Teacher of the Year" where it mattered to me.  This award proved to me that I have earned the respect of my peers.  It means that I am doing a good job.  It means that I am where I belong.  This teaching career has taught me that God is in control of who and what I am.  If you had told me 25 years ago that I would become a teacher, I would have laughed.  With age, I have come to understand and embrace that God is in charge and that he has a divine plan for my life.  I wanted to include some pictures of an event that I participated in to raise funds for PTO.  Not that this made me teacher of the year, but I love these pictures and I wanted to include them.  To me, these pictures show the fun we have at ATE.  They are a reminder to me to "let go" and have fun.  Don't take myself too seriously.

The week of the Black Forest Fires, I received this email.  It literally came as we were welcoming evacuees into our home.  It stopped me in my tracks. I am humbled.  It's just another confirmation that this career is exactly what God wants me to do right now.  I also wanted to hang on to this letter.  I need to read it on days when I don't feel so sure about myself or my career.


June 6, 2013


Dear Shari:


The Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee (CSEAC) received a large number of nominations for our State “People First” Award. The award is given to individuals from around the State of Colorado who have demonstrated the “People First” philosophy while working with Colorado students with special needs. “People First” means the individual goes above and beyond to make a difference in another person’s life. (S)He recognizes a person as an individual first before seeing the disability. People-First language puts the individual first and the descriptor second (e.g., a person with autism, not an autistic or autistic person).


This year’s winners of the “People First” Award are Mayor Jerry DiTullio (Jefferson County Public Schools), Brett Smith (Academy District 20), Jeanne Boice-Wiley (East Central BOCES), and Kurt Wollenweber (Cherry Creek School District). You should feel very proud and honored as you, too, were nominated. Robert Hewitt had the following to say:


It is a frustrating, heart-wrenching experience to find out that your perfect little child is different than most. You know that his, and your lives, will never be the same. A parent will always have the compassion and patience to deal with the ever-changing dynamics of a special needs child. When our son Jacob was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, my wife and I were immediately terrified of what that would mean for him as he grew up. The world is a cruel place, and often has little regard for the feelings of someone who is different. We met Shari Russell when we moved here from Augusta Georgia. Antelope Trails was Jacob’s fourth school in two years. I can’t describe how much we appreciate the support and love shown by the staff there. Everyone involved in the education team from the Principal, to the nurse and the psychologist has been wonderful, but Shari Russell has always had a special place in our hearts. You can tell just by talking with her that her passion for teaching is exceptional. She loves the kids that she works with. When Shari talks with us about Jacob, it’s like talking to family. He is not just another student to her, and it shows in everything she does. Jacob is tremendously fond of Shari, and trusts her well beyond others. That is not an easy thing for him, and I find it amazing that she puts forth the exceptional effort to maintain it. Jacob can very difficult, but Shari is always up to the challenge, and I believe that Jacob knows that and respects that from her. We are very comfortable taking our son to school at Antelope Trails, because we feel like we are leaving him with the best trained, most creative and patient educators that we could ever dream of, led by Shari Russell. A few months ago, Jacob became extremely upset and ran from the classroom down the hall. As he was huddled in the corner, several folks tried to calm him down but Jacob refused their comfort. Someone went and got Shari, and it was almost like my wife or I was there. Jacob responds to her because of the special relationship that she has with him. I can’t tell you what that means to us to know that someone cares that much for our little guy. That tells me that she is a special person. I have no doubt that she extends that same level of care and concern to all of her students. That makes her an asset to be treasured, and a person worthy of exceptional recognition. My wife and I consider her an angel. We know that Jacob is safe when we aren’t there.


Congratulations on being nominated for a state award!


Warm regards,


Lori Smith Cheryl Gaines

CSEAC Communication Committee Co-chair CSEAC Communication Committee Co-chair

TTFN