Resource - Special Education Teacher

I moved to the United States from Istanbul, Turkey at the age of 13 in 1992. I did not speak English initially and attended ESL classes. Adapting to a new country in Brooklyn, New York, was challenging, but the diverse ESL classes introduced me to friends from around the world. Despite the difficulties, I embraced learning a new language and integrating into the community. I became a special education teacher to make a meaningful contribution to my community. In this role I can provide educational and emotional support to my students. My upbringing played a pivotal role in my decision to become a teacher. I aspire to guide each student through their school years, offering support during challenging times. I understand the difficulties of growing up and navigating school to fit in with everyone else.

Building strong relationships with students is a key component of effective teaching. Without these connections, managing the classroom and delivering impactful lessons becomes challenging. When students sense genuine care from their teacher, they become more engaged with the content, willingly adhering to classroom procedures, and successfully completing the course. As an educator, I valued the teachers who created connections with me, making me feel genuinely welcomed. Beyond the academic aspect, my role involves cultivating connections among students and building a classroom community. With daily interactions for 10 months, it should be easier for us to foster a sense of family within our classroom. Learning is a two-way street with my students – I grow alongside them, tracking their high school journey. Witnessing their development over the years is incredibly fulfilling. Guiding students through academic and personal challenges is a top priority for me. I strive to create a supportive environment where they flourish and demonstrating tolerance for one another. Advocating for their accommodations and modifications, I tailor my teaching to meet their individual needs, approaching each day as a fresh opportunity. I remain open to learning fresh strategies. As educators, its crucial to recognize the need refine our teaching approaches. Each day presents an opportunity for new experiences with my students, and I eagerly anticipate these endeavors.

Social Worker

I was once told of a quote by Jesse Jackson that said, “Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up”. Coming from a similar disenfranchised community (New Brunswick, NJ) I learned early the importance of mental health, mentorship, and resilience. These three ideals have always been pillars of my personal and professional journey. Growing up, it was not uncommon for my parents to take in some of my friends who were having difficulties at home. I learned young that people are not their worst days, nor are their lives determined by the difficulty of their upbringing. After many years working with the elderly population in the healthcare setting, I decided on a career in education and counseling. This was mainly due to when reflecting with my older clients, it became clear that their difficulties were often result of early trauma and lack of supportive interventions. This led me to my current role at Jefferson Arts Academy. I strive to educate on the importance of mental health, demonstrate a positive role model for queer and Latinx youth, and empower our students to reach their social, emotional, and educational goals.

As the school social worker at Jefferson Arts, I am responsible for the social, emotional, and education wellness of our student population. I do this through many of the interventions, activities, and groups I facilitate here. I developed numerous SEL activities and groups both during the school day and after school. I recognized a need for a safe space for our LGBTQ+ students and established Jeff SOuL Student SEL group. I am determined to exist as a positive role model for queer youth. I also established groups on healthy relationships, peer mentoring, and meditation and relaxation. At Jefferson, I maintain an exceptional rapport with our teachers and staff members. In my role I am often the first referral for students experiencing distress. I meet with students throughout the day and counsel them through their most difficult experiences. In my short time here, I have jumped in as a member of our Jefferson community, even participating in our Jefferson Talent Show this year alongside our students. Students can always find me smiling, waving, and greeting them by name in the hallways. I believe my biggest accomplishment is that students continue to come to my office for support and counseling. In a world not always supportive or understanding, I provide my students (and staff 😊) with a safe and secure space to be authentically themselves.