Meet the Teacher's Aides
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Roles/Grade Level Support:
Teacher’s Aide.
How long have you been in Rensselaer?
Since September 2026.
What is your favorite part about working as a teacher aide?
Getting to know the students.
What is one moment with a student or classroom memory that made you smile recently?
Assisting the special education kingergarten classroom.
If you could describe you supporting style in three words, what would they be?
Listening, Collaborating, and supportive.
What was your favorite subject when you were in school?
English.
If you could go on a field trip anywhere in the word (or universe!), where would you go?
Scotland.
What is your go-to snack during a break or prep period?
Skittles.
If you were a character in a book, movie, or cartoon, who would you be?
Tinkerbell
What are two things you enjoy doing when you’re not at school?
Shopping and walking.
What is a fun or surprising fact about you that students might not know?
I am a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Favorite Go-To Coffee Drink/Order
Starbucks iced white chocolate mocha
Favorite season of the year
Winter
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Role/Grade Levels Supported
Teacher Aide in Kindergarten and 1st grade
How long have you been at Rensselaer?
This is my 13th year
What is your favorite part about working as a teacher aide?
I love seeing the kids each day and helping them to learn and seeing their growth over the years. I love the smiles and hugs.
What is one moment with a student or a classroom memory that made you smile recently?
When a student sees you for the first time in a while and they are really happy and excited to see you.
If you could describe your supporting style in three words, what would they be?
Dependable, hard working, caring
What is a hidden talent or skill you bring to the classroom?
Able to efficiently an quickly accomplish a prepping task. Teachers are amazed to see how fast I can get things prepped.
What was your favorite subject when you were in school?
Math, spelling
If you could go on a field trip anywhere in the world (or universe!) where would you go?
To Europe to see and learn about other places and cultures.
What is your go-to snack during a break or prep period?
Fresh fruit or chocolate rice cakes. I love chocolate!
What are two things you enjoying doing when you’re not at school?
Walking and reading
What is a fun or surprising fact about you that students might not know?
I love to walk the beach and find shells and sand dollars. A big Disney fanatic. I love cats and my German Shephard.
Favorite go-to coffee drink/order
Strawberry dragonfruit with green tea in hot weather. Hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream when cold.
Favorite season of the year
Late spring or early fall. I love the sunny, comfortable conditions and usually 70 degree temperatures. Spring the new flowers and colors after winter. Fall, the loss of humidity.
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Role/Grade Levels Supported
Teacher’s Aide, 7th-12th grade
How long have you been at Rensselaer?
This is my first year!
What is your favorite part about working as a teacher aide?
I like that I get to work in different grades and subjects. There is always something new to learn and students to meet.
What is one moment with a student or a classroom memory that made you smile recently?
Chatting with students and getting to know them
How would you describe your supporting style
Encouraging
What is a hidden talent or skill you bring to the classroom?
I can identify a lot of different types of lizards
What was your favorite subject when you were in school?
Art
If you could go on a field trip anywhere in the world (or universe!) where would you go?
Ireland
What is your go-to snack during a break or prep period?
String cheese
If you were a character in a book, movie, or cartoon, who would you be?
Rupunzel
What are two things you enjoying doing when you’re not at school?
Hanging out with friends and family and watching movies.
What is a fun or surprising fact about you that students might not know?
I used to be a museum educator in NYC.
Favorite go-to coffee drink/order
Dunkin iced coffee light with espresso shot.
Favorite season of the year
Summer.
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Role/Grade Levels Supported
Teacher Aide, Library for Elementary and High School
How long have you been at Rensselaer?
15 years
What is your favorite part about working as a teacher aide?
Seeing the students develop and grow
What is one moment with a student or a classroom memory that made you smile recently?
A student that’s graduating remembering what I baked for them last year.
If you could describe your supporting style in three words, what would they be?
Listening, caring, trusting.
What is a hidden talent or skill you bring to the classroom?
Remembering each student’s recent thoughts
What was your favorite subject when you were in school?
English
If you could go on a field trip anywhere in the world (or universe!) where would you go?
Botanical Gardens
What is your go-to snack during a break or prep period?
Yogurt or an apple
If you were a character in a book, movie, or cartoon, who would you be?
A princess in a fairy tale
What are two things you enjoying doing when you’re not at school?
Cooking and exploring walking trails
What is a fun or surprising fact about you that students might not know?
I enjoy cooking
Favorite season of the year
Fall
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Role/Grade Levels Supported
Teacher Aide
How long have you been at Rensselaer?
3 years
What is your favorite part about working as a teacher aide?
Coming in and seeing the children’s smiles on their faces.
What is one moment with a student or a classroom memory that made you smile recently?
When one of my students said they were glad to have me as their classroom aide again.
If you could describe your supporting style in three words, what would they be?
Caring, patient, uinderstanding.
What is a hidden talent or skill you bring to the classroom?
Keeping the kids happy
What was your favorite subject when you were in school?
Reading
If you could go on a field trip anywhere in the world (or universe!) where would you go?
I would go to Ireland
What is your go-to snack during a break or prep period?
A protien shake or Boston Cream donut
If you were a character in a book, movie, or cartoon, who would you be?
Belle from Beauty and the Beast
What are two things you enjoying doing when you’re not at school?
Spending time with my sister and reading.
What is a fun or surprising fact about you that students might not know?
I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher or to work with kids.
Favorite go-to coffee drink/order
Iced caramel coffee
Favorite season of the year
Fall
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Role/Grade Levels Supported
Pre-K Teacher’s Aide
How long have you been at Rensselaer?
Five years
What is your favorite part about working as a teacher aide?
Building relationships with the kids and getting to watch them learn and grow.
What is one moment with a student or a classroom memory that made you smile recently?
Seeing my past students in the halls and hearing them say they want to come back to Pre-K with me.
If you could describe your supporting style in three words, what would they be?
Patient, calm, and adaptable.
What is a hidden talent or skill you bring to the classroom?
I think I’m good at reading the room, when to use a little humor to get a laugh, or a child that needs a little more help than others.
What was your favorite subject when you were in school?
Science
If you could go on a field trip anywhere in the world (or universe!) where would you go?
Australia Zoo
What is your go-to snack during a break or prep period?
Chocolate covered pretzels
If you were a character in a book, movie, or cartoon, who would you be?
Mrs. Frizzle
What are two things you enjoying doing when you’re not at school?
Going to the gym and rehabilitating wildlife.
What is a fun or surprising fact about you that students might not know?
I have three pet spiders
Favorite go-to coffee drink/order
Anything with espresso and chocolate.
Favorite season of the year
Spring and fall.
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Role/Grade Levels Supported
Elementary Teacher’s Aide. After school, I volunteer with RCSD Jr/Sr High School Drama Club.
How long have you been at Rensselaer?
Since March of 2026 as a sub. In April, I was promoted to a 10-month aide.
What is your favorite part about working as a teacher aide?
Seeing all the students thrive and move towards High School graduation.
What is one moment with a student or a classroom memory that made you smile recently?
When the children were happy, participating, and enjoying their time at school.
If you could describe your supporting style in three words, what would they be?
Dependable, caring, present.
What is a hidden talent or skill you bring to the classroom?
I can make up a song or use music and the arts to motivate and inspire.
What was your favorite subject when you were in school?
Chorus and Drama Club!
If you could go on a field trip anywhere in the world (or universe!) where would you go?
Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
What is your go-to snack during a break or prep period?
Trader Joe’s fresh fruit, snacks, chips, popcorn.
If you were a character in a book, movie, or cartoon, who would you be?
Mary Lennox from The Secret Garden
What are two things you enjoying doing when you’re not at school?
Spending time with friends and family. Also, reading.
What is a fun or surprising fact about you that students might not know?
I auditioned for American Idol the same year as Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice.
Favorite go-to coffee drink/order
Iced pumpkin spice or caramel macchiato.
Favorite season of the year
Spring/Summer