Laura Panyszak is a Grade 1/Grade 2 teacher at Rockland Public School and is well respected and loved by both her students and colleagues. Laura’s passionate and nurturing approach to education ensures her students feel supported and families feel connected to their child’s learning experiences.
This year, Laura embraced her assignment to the Grade 1/Grade 2 core class, particularly as she was excited to work specifically with those students who have an Individual Education Plan. She felt that she and the kids had an enormous amount to offer each other. The students are thriving this year, and their success is largely due to Laura’s dedication to connect and support each student. She provides each student with their best learning experience, spending countless hours preparing individualized programming to meet each IEP.
However, Laura's compassion for her students goes beyond the curriculum. Known as Miss P., her students note that she’s always smiling. She is continually emphasizing the importance of kindness and manners. She models this expectation and commands it in her students. The students understand that it’s important to her that everyone is respectful with one another.
Laura shares her classroom alongside two Educational Assistants who have said that Laura works with them as teaching partners. Together, they collaborate and stay connected on every success, challenge and strategy happening within the classroom.
Laura builds relationships with her students’ families. After school, Laura can be found making her daily phone calls to a number of parents as well as collaborating with other Grade 1 and 2 teachers, and the Special Education Teacher. Her efforts to connect with parents have built trust and communication between the home and the school.
Laura’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, and for that, she’s being recognized with a Director’s Award of Merit for Winter 2021.