Linda Cheney, District 161 paraprofessional. She has worked in the district since 1997.
I started at Western Avenue as the third grade classroom paraprofessional. I learned what an excellent group of teachers they had in third grade. I was then put with Ms. White, a very caring special education teacher, to help with her students. After one year she moved over to the junior high, and I worked under another caring special education teacher, Ms. Artus. Finally, I was moved to the contained classroom. I enjoyed working with the students and with an excellent teacher.
In 2001 I was asked to move to the junior high as the Language Arts Lab paraprofessional. I have been working here ever since. Through the years the labs have gone through many changes and locations, but it has always been a pleasure to work with the students and the excellent staff at Parker.
There are so many good memories and learning experiences that I feel blessed to have worked in this district for so many years. From watching students’ faces light up with understanding to signing a new contract with the teachers and the administration, it has been a great 19 years. I have always told people that I have the BEST job in the district.
In retirement I would like to say I’m going to write the next Great American Novel. But short of that, I plan on working with my husband on our family business, enjoying my grandchildren and traveling – even in the winter months.
I want to thank everyone I’ve worked with throughout the years and especially, Dee Mannes, a great teacher inside and outside of the classroom. She is the person who brought me over to Parker from Western and has always been a great supporter.
