Educator Spotlight: Hinesman and King

 

ALISON HINESMAN

For students at Garfield Middle School, STEM class with Alison Hinesman is a place where curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are part of the process, and learning feels exciting. Known by Principal April Patton as a “constant source of energy and positivity,” Alison creates an engaging, supportive environment that helps students tackle challenges with confidence and creativity.

As the only teacher in her subject at Garfield, Alison makes a concerted effort to stay connected her colleagues, such as communicating weekly through her weekly “Tech Tips” email that she sends to staff as the school’s Techno Buddy.

Alison, who joined the District in 2022, doesn’t just connect with her Garfield peers. She has built a strong partnership with Harding STEM teacher Erin Andrzejewski. The two collaborate in weekly meetings where they plan lessons, review what worked well and what could be improved, and truly work in tandem to bring the best STEM experience to all our middle school students.

Besides her communication and collaboration skills, Alison also relies on our Vision of a Lakewood Ranger competency of empathy. Noting that STEM is a challenging subject for students, often leading to frustration, Alison puts herself in their shoes to understand what they are going through. “I tell them it's OK to struggle, it’s OK to feel that way. That’s how they grow,” says Alison.

The nature of STEM, where there is often no “right answer” lends itself to Alison applying her growth mindset skills every day. A student may often come up with a solution for an assignment that she has never seen before and she and the student then walk through the process together so she can evaluate it properly.

Through her collaborative approach, openness to feedback, and willingness to innovate, Alison consistently enhances the student learning experience while supporting those around her. Her leadership and teamwork make her an invaluable member of our staff.

 

REBECCA KING

Garfield Middle School paraprofessional Rebecca King joined the BRIDGES classroom last school year and has since become an integral part of the BRIDGES team through her patience, kindness, and dedication to every student she serves.

Rebecca relies most on her Vision of a Lakewood Educator competency of empathy and her calming presence to help students navigate their day. Her care and support for each student shines through and is noted by her colleagues.  

Rebecca’s BRIDGES colleague Erica O’Grady says that, “Miss Rebecca is dependable, kind, and so easy to be around. She makes an effort every single day to connect with our students in ways that are meaningful.”

Rebecca knows how important empathy is in working to make those student connections.

“I know every kid is different. I listen to them and give them moral support and my love,” Rebecca says.

Rebecca also depends on her growth mindset to help serve her students. She is a keen observer of her more experienced team members and says she is always absorbing their techniques and then implementing them as well. Additionally, Rebecca frequently watches videos that help her better understand some of the challenges her students face and give her insight into how she can help them.

All of this makes Rebecca’s colleagues appreciative of her presence. Shares Erica, “Rebecca’s reliability, creativity, and care make a lasting impact on our students and our school community, and we are incredibly grateful to have her as part of the BRIDGES team.”