Educator Spotlight: Caskey, George & Rykaceski

DELANEY CASKEY

Emerson Elementary assistant custodian Delaney Caskey wins everyone over with her enthusiasm and big heart. She effortlessly displays so many of our Vision of a Lakewood Educator competencies as she goes about her work on second shift.  

Delaney, who joined the District after graduating from Lakewood High in 2017, particularly shines in the area of communication. Says Delaney’s nominator, Emerson head custodian Keith Hoile: ”When Delaney engages with someone, staff or student, she is fully engaged.” He added that Delaney always makes the other person feel valued.

Delaney believes that communication is key to doing the best job for her school community. “It’s important to have everyone on the same page,” she says. Adding that it helps optimize her time and not waste effort duplicating someone else’s work. 

For Delaney, collaboration and empathy come hand in hand for Delaney. Keith praises Delaney for the way she listens and respects input from others. “She contributes her knowledge and experience and then works together to get the job done, big or small,” according to Keith, who says Delaney’s heart is “big and open.” She takes the time to get to know people and show interest them. Her goodwill has built a mutual trust between her and her Emerson colleagues, who know that there’s nothing Delaney won’t do to help Emerson be the best it can be.

Thank you, Delaney!

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LAURA GEORGE

Grant Elementary paraprofessional Laura George is the kind of employee everyone wants in their building: kind, respectful, ready to pitch in wherever help is needed, and always making people laugh!

“She is our unofficial school mascot and staff morale booster,” says Laura’s trio of nominators, Grant teachers Tessa Lynch, Jill Hayes and Dylan Acerra. “Students are drawn to Laura’s fun and silly personality,” they added.

Laura, who started in the District as a long-term sub in 2016 and then became permanent in 2017, has used her Vision of a Lakewood Educator competencies of communication, collaboration and empathy to create a strong rapport with both the students and staff. She works intentionally to find some common ground with students in order to spark conversations and build trust.

“If I know a student likes Godzilla, I will learn about the world of Godzilla,” Laura gives as an example. 

Laura believes that positivity goes a long way in helping students succeed. One of the many duties she has taken upon herself at Grant is to greet the students with a smile and a kind word as they come in for breakfast each morning so that they can “start their day in a positive way.”

“Laura has an unwavering belief that each child can and will succeed, and she works diligently to connect with kids to help them shine,” says Grant Principal Christine Foote.

Laura’s involvement in the Purple & Gold basketball team, running the PBIS shop and taking part in the DEIB team shows how much of a team player and collaborator she is. She is beloved in the building and she in turn feels fortunate to work at Grant with such dedicated and hard-working colleagues. 

Principal Foote says Laura’s “many efforts all around the school help each one of us grow our greatness at Grant.”

Thank you, Laura!

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AMBER RYKACESKI

Garfield Middle School sixth grade intervention specialist Amber Rykaceski landed in the education field and Lakewood City Schools in 2016 after years of success in corporate sales and computer programming. It seems this is where she was destined to be all along, having come from a family full of educators. 

Teaching is a perfect fit for Amber as she possesses all the competencies of our Vision of a Lakewood Educator. For Amber’s nominator, Garfield health aide Felicia Ardelean, the competency of empathy stands out for her. “Amber has the heart for kids with special needs,” Felicia wrote in her nomination.

Empathy is an integral part of Amber's communication with students. “It’s all about getting to know the students and building a rapport,” Amber says. “I like to observe and ask questions and share about myself to connect. Once they’re comfortable and confident, that’s where the growth comes.” Amber also emphasizes communication with families. She makes a point to reach out personally to each parent or guardian of her students at the beginning of each school year. 

Amber also strives to foster a sense of belonging for  her students. Felicia commented on Amber’s efforts to create an environment that values and celebrates students' differences and uniqueness. 

Finally, a growth mindset is important to Amber, who says she is constantly learning in her role as an intervention specialist, a position that she has held for four years. 

She also strives to instill self-confidence in her students. “I like to help them find the skill that makes them feel accomplished and that motivates them to learn more,” Amber says.

Amber’s students and the District are fortunate to have Amber on their team.

Thank you Amber!