2023 Bradley School Paraeducator of the Year

Ronald Swierbitowicz

Mr. S, as the students call him, is great at so many aspects of his job. As a classroom teacher, I had the pleasure of working very closely with Ron for a few years. He was the strongest paraeducator that I had ever been partnered with. He commanded respect from students while developing meaningful relationships with them. He truly got to know the children in a friendly, yet firm, manner. When it came to small group instruction, Mr. S shined. For both reading and math, he was an integral part of our daily schedule. The students met with him, as they met with me, for tiered instruction. He would always update me on student progress and behaviors. Like many veteran teachers, Mr. S knew how to explain certain concepts naturally. Now that I am no longer a classroom teacher and work with all grades in the area of math, I see Ron in a new light. Currently, he is assigned to 5th grade. The two fifth-grade teachers make the most out of him, creating schedules so that they can both benefit from having him run small groups daily, especially for mathematics. Mr. S is very strong in numeracy and sees numbers in a unique way. Because of this, he is able to offer so many various strategies for the students to try. Ron is patient, humorous, dependable, and self-motivated. He accurately anticipates situations and is proactive, instead of reactive. As a teacher, it is always appreciated when a colleague is truly helpful. And that is what Ron is - helpful. He helps staff, but most importantly, he helps our students. I would love to see Mr. Swierbitowicz as Derby's 2023 Paraeducator of the Year! - Tracy Landolfi (Math Coach)

Ron has a great rapport with the students.  For example,  he gives them silly nicknames, like Maya Papaya, which they love.  He asks the students about what's going on at home and shows he cares about them and their lives. He reinforces lessons by working with students in small groups. He is very knowledgeable about the math concepts in 5th grade, so having him in the classroom is like having a second teacher.  He also works one-on-one with students who need extra support. Flexibility and adaptability come easy to him and he is easily able to readjust if something in the schedule changes.  Last, but not least, he is great at supervising students and can manage behavior issues if needed. For all of these reasons, I believe that Mr. S is the perfect para to be awarded the 2023 paraeducator of the year. - Allison Hill (Grade 5 Teacher)