The Guild School is recognizing staff members who have gone above and beyond to support students in and out of the classroom in celebration of Educator Appreciation Week from May 4 – 8. Classroom teachers, teaching assistants, clinical and vocational staff, student services, transition services, and residential services all work together to monitor progress and adjust the IEP to ensure that each student is progressing toward their highest level of achievement.
Each classroom at The Guild School has a dedicated team of educators who help support students and their individual learning goals. Classroom staff form deep bonds with their students as they assist them in different tasks throughout the school day.
Kaitlyn Foehl, Classroom Teacher
What drew you to the human services field?
I’ve loved this field for over a decade! I began volunteering in the Moderate-Severe Special Education classroom in high school as a peer mentor. I knew right away I wanted to work with individuals with intellectual disabilities for the rest of my life!
Do you have a favorite professional memory?
If I had to pick one, it was watching my student’s literacy skills flourish. Learning to read can change someone’s life, and it was deeply fulfilling to watch this student make significant progress with consistent practice.
What is the best part of your job?
When a student who struggles to express their feelings finally opens up in their own way, it makes me feel on top of the world.
Christine Kibanda-Mayanja, Classroom Educator
What drew you to the human services field?
I was drawn to the human services field because while back home I had worked with a similar population and i had seen how much difference the right support can make in someone's life. I was motivated to help people navigate difficult situations and connect them with resources that improve their stability and well-being. I also appreciate the challenge to think critically, stay empathetic, and keep learning from the people I work with.
Do you have a favorite professional memory?
One of my students was a tough one to get my trust, but once she trusted me, she started taking her medication without hesitation and asking for walks rather than bolting. Occasionally she will hold my hand to go for her medication without any prompt.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is seeing the progress the kids make over time. Even small steps like improved communication or increased independence are really meaningful, and it's rewarding to know I played a part in it.
Norman Rutinwa, Classroom Teacher
What drew you to the human services field?
One of my biggest motivations is a genuine desire to help others. Supporting individuals through challenges gives me a strong sense of purpose. On a personal level, this work is especially meaningful to me as a parent of a child on the spectrum who also benefits from support.
Do you have a favorite professional memory?
My favorite moments are when I see real progress in someone I’ve been supporting. When a student who’s feeling overwhelmed is able to pause and ask for a break instead of acting out; that kind of growth is powerful.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part is witnessing meaningful progress in students’ lives and building genuine relationships with them. I value the opportunity to have a direct impact, while also continuing to grow myself. This work has strengthened my patience, creativity, problem-solving, and emotional regulation—skills I carry with me beyond the workplace.