|
“A hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank … but the world may be a better place because I made a difference in the life of a child.” |
~ Forest Witcraft |
Many go through life without finding their “calling”. For those that are lucky enough to discover what makes their heart sing, it is often a long road to get there. Jessica Smeins from O’Dea Core Knowledge Elementary worked hard to make her passion a reality. With a warm, unruffled disposition, Jessica has jumped in with creativity and energy, creating an environment of respect and appreciation.
Here is her story:
“I am Jessica Smeins and I am from Carbondale, CO. My mom, dad, and sister all live in the Carbondale area and I enjoy visiting them in the beautiful mountain 
area. As I grew up in such a beautiful place, my favorite activities are mostly outdoor oriented. I enjoy hiking, playing with my dogs, biking, and just being outside. Luckily, Fort Collins is an outdoor town and a good place to pursue my higher education. I moved to Fort Collins to attend CSU for Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies. After graduating in 2010, I worked in an autism program in a nearby city and found the job that I was meant to do. The next year, I enrolled at UNC to obtain my teaching license and Master’s in Special Education. While going to school, I worked at O’Dea Elementary School in the autism program as a paraprofessional. When I graduated from UNC, I was so lucky to get a job in Poudre School District as a teacher in O’Dea’s autism program. My favorite part of my job is seeing the kids smiling faces every day. I enjoy watching my students learn new information and the excitement they express when they make a connection to the material.”
“Jess has stepped into her position this year with a sense of grace and gusto. She is always looking into new ways to work with our students with autism and is always willing to try something new if she thinks it will positively impact our students.” O’Dea Elementary Principal Laurie Corso.
Poudre School District Integrated Services Director: Sarah Belleau 2407 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521
something different … something special about the community. The hallways are sprinkled with blue puzzle pieces. On the puzzle pieces are messages of encouragement written by the small hands that fill the school. To the students and staff of O’Dea Elementary, autism is a word free of any stigma. It is a word that may be used to help understand and appreciate their peer sitting at their table or a friend from the playground. Odea Elementary is a place that has a smile around every corner. In the classroom of Megan Conahan, there are an abundance of smiles! “Megan is a bright ball of light at O’Dea! She brings such a level of enthusiasm and love to her position working with our children with autism. There are days that can be very challenging, yet Megan continues to bring positive energy to her work. ” Says O’Dea principal Laurie Corso.
Integrated Services Poudre School District 