By Sentinel Staff
Aurora Losey, a paraprofessional at Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School, has been recognized by the Alaska Special Education Service Agency for her work at the school. Losey’s fellow educators gathered at the school Friday to pay her tribute.
In its latest newsletter the special education service agency, which provides support to special educators and students and rates performances, cited Losey as “exceptional” in her field. Natalie Voron, the Sitka School District special education case manager, agrees, saying Losey is “amazing.”
And the mother of Losey’s single student, says Losey is “phenomenal.”
“We just love her,” said Karimai Carlson, whose daughter is third grader Coralynn.
Keet Gooshi Heen Elementary School praprofessional Aurora Losey, at right, poses with her student, Coralynn, during a ceremony to recognize Losey’s work, Friday at the school. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
Coralynn has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. She communicates with an Augmentative Alternative Communication device.
Losey accompanies Coralynn throughout the school day and “makes sure Coralynn can be a part of everything,” the girl’s mother said.
Coralynn will be 9 on March 12 and has been going to school since she was 3, starting with preschool. This is her second year with Losey, who goes with her to classes and to physical, occupational and speech therapy.
This is Losey’s fourth year as a paraprofessional in the Sitka School District. Born in Oakridge, Oregon, she lived in New Jersey and New York, traveled around the world, and came to Sitka from Oregon in 2003. She commercially fished before becoming a stay-at-home mom with her daughter, Adeline, 12, now in the sixth grade, and son Iyden, 10, a fourth grader.
She said she was working as a florist at Chocolate Moose when a co-worker encouraged her to become a paraprofessional.
“I just love working with kids,” Losey told the Sentinel. “I’ve found my niche ... I love being here, the people I work with – I’m very happy!”
She said she has found it gratifying to be with Coralynn, and noted they share a sense of humor.
Voron said Losey participated with Coralynn at Girls On the Run, “pushing her during the entire race so she could participate with her peers – amazing!”
“Aurora truly goes above and beyond, and I’m so excited an outside agency has recognized that,” Voron said.
Both Carlson and her husband, Robert Truman, work full-time and have 2-year-old twins, son Ryker and daughter Kailanna. So their days are pretty busy, and Carlson said she’s “super grateful for the huge help” the schools and community in general have provided for her “happy social butterfly.”
School District Learning Support Director Chris Voron said the district has about 40 paraprofessionals working with students, who range from preschool age through high school and on to age 21.
Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, districts are required to identify, locate and evaluate all children who are in need of early intervention or special education services, he said.
He said anyone wishing more information about the program or to make an appointment for a screening can call him at 966-1253.
