May Spotlight on Support Staff

Rachel Nelson has been a paraprofessional at Clearbrook-Gonvick school for eight years.  She spends most of her day working with students in the district’s DCD (Developmentally Cognitively Delayed) room, but she does spend an hour a day doing general education work with students in grades kindergarten through sixth.

Rachel is a Fosston graduate but has lived in Clearbrook since 1996. Rachel is married to Paul and they have two high school aged children, Ty and Levi. 

 

Why did you choose to be a paraprofessional at school?  I love working with kids.  It is both challenging and rewarding.

 

What did you do before coming to Clearbrook-Gonvick?  After college, I was a Head Start teacher for eight years. I then was a daycare provider for four years while my kids were young.

 

What is the best part of your job at Clearbrook-Gonvick? I get to go to work where my kids are everyday and have the same schedule as them.  I also get the opportunity to get to know so many kids.

What is the biggest challenge of your job? Every day is different.  Some are easy and some are hard. I just have to come each day ready for whatever that day holds.

 

If you could have any job in the world - what would it be? Why? I would love to be a personal shopper. I could then shop and spend someone else’s money.

 

What do you do when you are not at school teaching? I enjoy going to my boys’ sporting events, reading, watching movies and sitting around campfires with my husband.

 

What are your favorite aspects of the Clearbrook-Gonvick community? Clearbrook-Gonvick is such a supportive community.  There is so much involvement of all ages working together.  It is comfortable here.

 

And now a word or two about Rachel from our staff and students…

“Rachel is a delightful quiet encourager to have in the building. Her gentle disposition and consistency with the children make it a safe place for students to be able to thrive.” “Rachel always seems to smile and greet everyone she passes...she is so calm and friendly!” “She cares very much for the students she is working with. She does a great job at listening to them and helps cheer them up when they are down.” “Rachel is kind because she gives us candy.”  “She is nice.”  “She is hilarious because she tells jokes.” “She is a cool playground helper.”  “She is always looking out for us.”  “She is stylish.”  “She is fair.” “Rachel is a very up-beat person and her smile is contagious.  She is also very caring and great with our students.” “Rachel is very caring and fair with the students she works with. She is always ready to jump in and give a hand when she can, where she can!” “She takes care of problems that need fixing.” “Rachel is so much fun to work with.” “Her smile can light up a room.”