Winnie K. Kaschub, Hawthorne Elementary School
DSA Award Recipient — Educational Assistants

Sometimes a school's atmosphere of well-being and harmony begins and ends with a single individual. At Hawthorne Elementary, Special Educational Assistant Winnie Kaschub is that person.

Her no-nonsense, solution-oriented style keeps student behavior above the line. Winnie was a living example of "above the line" long before the phrase was introduced to our schools. Students acknowledge the respect she shows them by responding with the same.

When it comes to fix-it plans, students know they will be heard and understood. Students create posters, help in lunchroom clean-up and yardwork in an effort to amend any harm they may have caused. Among her positive strategies is a student-produced "Above the Line" newsletter, filled with illustrations, humor, stories of students' accomplishments and advice for parents.

For the past eleven years Winnie has received a grant from the Reading is Fundamental program for a book giveaway that is a favorite of students and their families. Winnie recently took on the task of coordinating Hawthorne's effective FAST program with her signature competence and dedication.

An active participant on the Hawthorne School Improvement Planning and Peaceful Playground teams and a devoted learner in her own right, Winnie is a woman of action and a deserving recipient of this award.

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