Being a substitute teacher is a hard job — as is being a classroom aide, a parapro, or in charge of bus duty.

At Patrick Hamilton Elementary, one dynamic woman handles all of these jobs at the same time — Theresa Slaski.

Slaski works in many areas at the school.

She teaches in classrooms while teachers are working with students in the reading recovery program. The students in her classes think that she is amazing.

“Mrs. S. lets us go on ‘Raz Kids’ so we can do reading,” said Hunter Steinman, a first-grade student in Jon Leazenby’s room. “She is nice, that
is all.”

“In computers, she is nice when we are being good,” said fellow first-grade student Ja’Mela Bonds. “My favorite thing about Mrs. S. is everything.”

Along with covering classrooms, she works with students in small math groups who may need help with a concept.

“Mrs. Slaski helps me with math,” said Ty’lisia Horton-Epps, a fifth grade student in Kelly Treat’s room. “She makes math fun and she is nice.”

“She is like a really good teacher and she is really nice,” said another fifth-grade student, Thomas Boyd.

Because of Slaski, students are getting the individualized help they need outside of the regular classroom.

Slaski also makes sure all of our kids get on the right buses at the end of the day.  With so many students, this is a daunting task, but she is a great, smiling face for the students to see right before they go home.

She is always patient and positive with students and staff, and we truly could not run our programs to help students without her.

Theresa Slaski truly exemplifies the characteristics of a “starfish thrower” — she wants to help each student with love, kindness and respect. Patrick Hamilton is a better place with her in it.

Heather Nash

Principal, Patrick Hamilton Elementary