Teri Mitchell, a para-educator at Redmond High School (RHS), has won the Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD) 2015 Para-Educator of the Year Award.

Mitchell was formally recognized by the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) board of directors at their meeting on Monday. She will be recognized by DADD at their annual business meeting in San Diego on April 9. DADD is a division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).

The Para-Educator of the Year Award recognizes a para-educator who participates as a member of the teaching team and who exhibits exemplary personal and professional skills in supporting students who have developmental disabilities. Mitchell was nominated for this award by Elizabeth West, an associate professor at University of Washington who specializes in special education.

Currently, Mitchell works one-on-one with a special needs student at RHS. She is with that student throughout the day, attending different classes and offering support for that student. She has built a relationship with that student, ensuring that he knows someone at the school cares about him and will be there to help him be successful.

Mitchell enjoys her work and the challenge it brings her.

“The challenge is to find the way that you can have that student be successful with the way they are,” she said. “You don’t try and force a way of teaching on that student, you look at that student and you find a way of teaching that works with them.”

RHS art teacher Jordan Swain added, “Teri more than deserves this award. I have had her in my classroom with students; she is a wonderful person and educator. She goes above and beyond to help and is indispensable in the classroom. She works with grace, kindness and dedication to students who have tremendous challenges.”