When it comes to teaching the job can be rewarding and very demanding.
A local teacher working with children with disabilities says that's exactly the balance that she loves. This week's Gold Apple recipient focuses her attention on each child's individual needs and says it's the key to success for disabled kids.
Meet Mari Considine.
Mrs. Mari Considine doesn't have as many students as other teachers at Washington Elementary but she stays just as busy.
Considine teaches 19 special needs students weekly, typically in small groups of two or three at a time.
"You do get to see them grow a lot more you get to give them more attention to what they need its' more individualized to what their skills are."
With kids varying in disabilities she says it's extra important that she get that individualized time to work on what they need.
"Some kids I'm working on reading some math some both. There's some kids I'm working on social skills and behavioral needs," says Considine.
The parent who nominated Mrs. Considine says she not only pays special attention to the kids but also includes parents in the learning process.
Considine says, "You have to be in communication with the parents and let them know that you're here for them."
She says being there for the parents is just as important and being there for the kids.
"It is a very fun job," Considine says, "I don't know if I could be a regular teacher with all those 30 some kids in the classroom."
No matter how many kids Mrs. Considine teaches she always makes them feel like they're only one.
And that's why Mrs. Mari Considine is this weeks Golden Apple Recipient.
Considine is in the process of getting her Masters degree in special education. Something she thinks will help her to become an even better teacher.
