GPA is proud to recognize the following individuals for the valuable roles they play as educators at our school. They have been nominated to represent GPA in ASAH’s Annual Educator of the Year awards. Congratulations to Barbara, Mythi, and Jeff!
Barbara Mang
Barbara Mang
Related Services Provider of the Year
Barbara has always demonstrated an incredible commitment to her students, families, the community and Garfield Park Academy during her ten years of service as a social worker. During her time at GPA, she has consistently volunteered on school projects that would serve and benefit the students and our organization. Barbara has worked each year on the Food Drive for Thanksgiving and Winter Holiday, taking up collections of food items, purchasing food supplies, and making deliveries to students’ homes. She has helped out with Senior Graduation and is responsible for organizing the Senior Prom. Barb has volunteered for the yearly Gala Dinner/Golf Outing fundraiser and is currently the Chair of the Gala/Golf Outing Event Committee. Over the past two years, she has also taken on the task of helping to design and set up Continuing Education workshops for the social workers through the state’s social worker board. In each of these tasks, Barb has done a phenomenal job. She consistently demonstrates creative problem solving, a willingness to work hard, an ability to work collaboratively with others while always stays positive during times of stress.
In both her work as a social worker and her volunteer responsibilities, Barbara has displayed her ability to arrive at unique solutions to difficult issues, her ability to brainstorm with others, and her diligence in making sure that each task is completed thoroughly and to a high level of excellence. Barbara takes her responsibilities very seriously and gives as much energy as is required, working extra hours as needed to accomplish her goals.
As a school social worker, Barbara often has to work with challenging students and parents/guardians, as well as coordinate multiple services needed for her students and families. She is very skilled in working in difficult situations and across settings and systems in helping each student and family obtain the services they need.
Barbara is also a very organized person. In volunteering and in case management responsibilities she exhibits an ability to handle paperwork and other duties requiring excellent organizing skills. She is also a role model for other social workers and is one of our Mentors in helping new social workers become oriented to their job. She gets along well with all staff and receives constant praise from the teachers and other administrators on her performance and positive attitude. Her volunteering is proof that she is someone who cares deeply for her students and their families. Her students also know that Barbara will be available for them and go to whatever limits are needed to help them be successful in life. For example, while not required, she will attend team meetings outside of our organization, go to court to represent and support her students, or meet with probation officers, etc., whether during the day or after hours.
Barbara is a highly regarded professional who displays extraordinary moral values and integrity. Barbara enjoys working with the most difficult special education students and has focused her expertise on our high school students. She is passionate about the need for these students to successfully transition from high school on to college, vocational training, military, or full-time employment. If this means helping them pass a driver’s education test, working with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, or taking them on a job interview, Barbara will enthusiastically offer her skills to each and every student, as well as offer her expertise to other social workers and the Garfield Park Academy team.
Mythi McKinney
Mythi McKinney
Paraprofessional of the Year
Mythi is a caring, dedicated and long-standing member of the Garfield Park Academy (GPA) family. She has been employed in our school for the past fourteen years and has demonstrated the ability to handle all levels of students who display various types of behavioral, social, emotional and academic issues. Mythi began her career as an instructional aide in a classroom and is presently an Administrative Mentor for our staff. She is our “go to” individual, doing whatever is asked of her — and it will be done correctly and expeditiously.
As the Administrative Mentor, Mythi works with all the instructional aides and assists them with the use of the school’s evidence-based Teaching-Family Model. Mythi is an integral part of the training process for all new staff and is also involved in the professional development programs we provide for staff. Not only does she assist with the Model, but Mythi also trains staff in the proper techniques of non-violent crisis intervention. The staff looks to her for her leadership, guidance and knowledge when addressing student behaviors with our Model. Mythi is also involved in the evaluation process of the staff relative to the implementation and utilization of the Model. Her input and feedback to staff reflect the skill she has honed over the years as a part of Garfield Park Academy’s programs. She is a team player and is always supportive of the rules and expectations that have been developed by the teachers and other service providers in their classrooms. Her ability to use the Teaching-Family Model, effectively maintaining low tolerances and consistency, never goes unnoticed. Her approach affords Mythi the opportunity to take advantage of the situation to teach and guide staff when the students demonstrate inappropriate behaviors. Her input is always valuable and practical for our staff.
Both the students and staff have the utmost respect for Mythi and the job she does at GPA. Her firm but fair demeanor enables Mythi to develop relationships with students and helps to deescalate potentially volatile situations. She has the ability to put students at ease and make them feel supported and important both in school and in their outside lives. Mythi is involved in all aspects of school life at GPA. She finds the time to be involved in activities that help to enhance the self-esteem of our students through club offerings, trips and other social events. Mythi is the supervisor of our Student Council and during the year the group takes on many activities such as Red Ribbon Week, Anti-Bullying Awareness, Drug Awareness, Pasta for Pennies, Honor Roll Breakfast, Veterans’ Day Breakfast and other events. She is never reluctant to try new ideas if they will benefit our students and the school program.
Mythi is the consummate professional who epitomizes the qualities, professionalism and character that have made her an integral part of the GPA program. Mythi is a mentor to all who know her and has earned the respect of her colleagues and the administration.
Jeff Dalrymple
Jeff Dalrymple
Educator of the Year
Jeff began his illustrious career in the retail field as a purchasing agent and store trainer. After twenty years, he decided to leave and become a part of a truly rewarding field, educating students with special needs. In 2004, Jeff was hired as a Special Education teacher at Garfield Park Academy. Upon his arrival, he “hit the ground running and has never looked back.” During the years that he has been at GPA, “Mr. Jeff” as he is known as by his students and most staff, has had a great impact on the school and its programs. Jeff always has a positive attitude and strong work ethic, and has earned the respect of students, staff and administration. The hard work and desire to be successful Jeff has demonstrated enabled him to become certified in the school’s Teaching-Family Model for the past nine years.
As a teacher, Jeff has worked with many different students who have had varied disabilities including students on the autism spectrum. No matter what the needs are of his students, as a special education teacher, Jeff will always stress the similarities rather than the differences of each of his students. He recognizes students’ needs in terms of their social, emotional and cultural diversity. In the classroom, the students always seem eager to learn and enjoy working with Jeff. He employs instructional techniques that consistently enhance positive self-esteem of his students. In preparing lessons, Jeff has the ability to present all materials in a manner that relates to the students’ everyday life experiences. In classroom discussions, Jeff encourages whole class participation and accepts varied viewpoints while being nonjudgmental. He has developed relationships with his students that reflect a mutual feeling of cooperation and respect. It is always a pleasure to visit Jeff’s classroom in which the elements of sound teaching, motivated students and a positive learning environment are combined.
Beyond his classroom responsibilities, Jeff has become our Transition Coordinator for all high school students. He works closely with Burlington County College in our Transition to College program and has helped to expand our Transition to Work program. His background in the business field has helped to enhance our work program. Jeff helps to mentor many of our new teachers through the alternate and traditional route programs. His knowledge and expertise with the school’s model and classroom management skills have been of great benefit to our new staff. He avails himself to all staff whenever the need arises and they appreciate the time he spends with them.
Jeff is a consummate professional who displays high moral values and integrity. He is a “team player” and takes great pride in his profession as a special education teacher. He exemplifies the characteristics that have helped him become a master teacher in the eyes of all who have the pleasure of working with him on a daily basis.
