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APS is excited to announce the February 2024 APS All Stars. Nominate an APS All Star.
Dean Jordan
Discovery Elementary School
Reliable, Collaborative, Trustworthy
Dean is a true example of living positive professionalism through his actions with colleagues. It is apparent to all those who can observe his interactions with students that he prioritizes authentic, genuine connection and he makes creating a safe learning environment look effortless. If I could describe Dean in three words: 1. Reliable / 2. Collaborative / 3. Trustworthy. As a support employee, I truly do not know where my student(s) or our special education team would be without his invaluable contributions both in and out of the classroom with colleagues and students this school year! I am grateful I have the opportunity to work with and learn from him this year. I hope his continued dedication to Discovery can be further recognized and honored by APS.
Jimmy Carrasquillo
Washington-Liberty High School
Helpful, Consistent, Caring, Reliable
My experience working with Mr. Carrasquillo dates back over 7 years, and he is a great support system for parents and students alike. As he helped students and parents navigate the school system over the years, he demonstrated a great interest in educating them about it. As a result of his tireless efforts in organizing the monthly meetings for immigrant parents, we have had great results in increasing the number of parents every month. As well as working with students on different sports, he also coaches them. Mr. Carrasquillo is always willing to help us create a better learning environment for our students, and if we ask for help, he will do so without hesitation. Despite his considerable efforts, I think he deserves recognition.
Mee Kim
Campbell Elementary School
Kind, inspirational, caring, innovative, energetic
Ms. Kim is THE BEST! I am nominating her again for an All Star in the hopes you will give this honor to her, because she is so VERY deserving. She is absolutely amazing! Each day, I think to myself how lucky my son is, and our whole family is, that Ms. Kim is my son’s pre-k/4 teacher. He LOVES going to school because of Ms. Kim. She is a force of nature — when you go into her classroom, you immediately feel the energy, the exuberance, the excitement for learning, the positivity, the inclusion, and the love. You can see it in her eyes as she smiles from ear to ear, upon seeing the kids come into the classroom. We were lucky to be able to go to a classroom “showcase” last month, where all the parents got to see what the kids had been working on. They were learning about “community,” and among other things, Ms. Kim helped each student one by one stand up in front of their peers and all the parents to talk about what they hoped to be when they grow up. She coached them, supported them, cheered for them and even brought them props (like a large toothbrush for my son who wanted to share that he hopes to be a dentist). Her energy is contagious and electric — and she is just the kindest person you’ll ever meet. She sends wonderful updates about the class each week, and responds to any parent messages quickly and with extreme thoughtfulness. I can’t say enough about her, and I really, really, really hope you give her this award as she couldn’t deserve it more.
Brizeyda Argueta
Randolph Elementary School
An outstanding and caring educator
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Brizeyda Argueta for the APS All Star recognition for being an outstanding third-grade teacher. Having had the privilege of observing Ms. Argueta in action, I am confident that her passion, dedication, and exceptional teaching abilities make her a truly remarkable educator. Ms. Argueta has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her students’ academic and personal development. Her enthusiasm for teaching is contagious, creating an engaging and positive learning environment. Beyond the curriculum, she goes above and beyond to ensure that each student feels valued, supported, and motivated to reach their full potential. This year, Ms. Argueta came remarkably close to winning the Teacher of the Year award, a testament to her exemplary contributions to the field of education. Her innovative teaching methods, effective communication with students, and collaborative approach with parents have significantly contributed to the positive learning atmosphere within the classroom and the school community. What sets Ms. Argueta apart is not only her professional excellence but also her personal journey and commitment to the teaching profession. As a product of Arlington Public Schools and someone who arrived in America with a dream of becoming a teacher, she embodies the resilience, dedication, and passion that we seek in educators. Ms. Argueta is an inspiration to her students, showing them that dreams can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. In addition to the admiration she receives from students, Ms. Argueta has also earned the trust and appreciation of parents. Her open communication style, willingness to address individual needs, and commitment to fostering a strong teacher-parent partnership have resulted in a positive and supportive school community. I wholeheartedly believe that recognizing Brizeyda Argueta for her outstanding contributions to education is not only well-deserved but also a motivating force for other educators and aspiring teachers.
Robert Dillard
Gunston Middle School
kind, humble, hard worker, blessing, positive
Mr. Dillard is the most kind and humble person I know. He always has a positive attitude no matter what the day is. I have had the pleasure to work with Mr. Dillard for 3 years. In the three years, I have only seen a hard-working person, who cares deeply about his job. I recently found out that Mr. Dillard has worked at APS for 35 years. I want to let everyone know how special he is and how he makes others feel by his positive outlook in life. Mr. Dillard is such a blessing to all of us at Gunston. Even when I am at my lowest at the end of the day, he always find ways to cheer me up.
