February: Staff Spotlight Honorees: Haas & Pearlman

 

BARB HAAS

As part of the sixth grade team at Garfield Middle School, intervention specialist Barb Haas believes she has a unique role in helping to set up new middle schoolers for success.

Whether it’s assuaging the anxieties surrounding lockers, schedules or new social dynamics, Haas takes pride in helping her students manage their new environment in order to be successful academically.

“They come here as elementary students and we send them on to 7th grade as middle schoolers,” Haas says, who is in her 30th year with the District. 

Haas works to foster a growth mindset with her students through her gentle encouragement to always try without worry of failing. Her passion for teaching remains high even after teaching for three decades and nearly year-round when you count her past 10 years as a summer school instructor.

Hass' wealth of experience serves to benefit not only her students but her colleagues as well.

“It is good to have Barb on the grade six floor at Garfield because we know if we have questions or concerns Ms. Haas is a valuable resource,” said Haas' nominator, paraprofessional Neil Rupright.

This District is grateful for Haas' many years of service!

 

JED PEARLMAN

Jed Pearlman couldn’t be happier reporting to work every day as a paraprofessional helping out in the social studies classrooms at Lakewood High. It’s a second career he never imagined but is grateful for the opportunity. “I love it!,” exclaims Pearlman.

After leaving a long corporate career, Pearlman's wife, Pam, a substitute in the District, suggested he apply for the paraprofessional position. His students and colleagues have been the beneficiaries ever since.

Teacher Alex Cammock, Jed’s nominator, is impressed by Jed’s dedication to students. “He offers help to every student and will help any free period or before school or after school,” says Alex, who also noted that Jed keeps their social studies class humming along seamlessly when Alex is absent.

Whether it is helping a student complete their EverFi financial literacy program or helping them prep for the state test, Jed is available for whatever a student needs, whenever they need it. The key, says Jed, is building relationships and being as honest as you can with the students.

After working in the for-profit world, Jed says the school district’s mission is very refreshing, “I am doing something where I am contributing to a person…all I want is to see the kids do better,” he says.