Although the end of each school year features retiring staff members, five key members of the Special Education department will be retiring this year.
Deana Encinias, a teacher affiliated with the PACE Program, has worked at LHS for the past 32 years.
“I started as a paraprofessional in the center base program for 12 years before getting my masters and teaching degree and ten teaching in the same program the last 20 years,” she said.
Ms. Encinias was initially uncertain about what career she wanted to pursue but knew she was interested in working with kids.
“The opportunity to work at the high school level was exciting and from the first day I stepped into the classroom I was where I was meant to be.”
Ms. Encinias has left a strong impression on the confidence and success of her students.
“Teaching students to believe in themselves and to achieve all they can is rewarding. Going into a store and having a former student working is success.”
Ms. Encinias hopes to spend the next phase of her life with family, friends, and “new adventures”.
Michelle TeKolste is one of the support staff at LHS. She has worked as a paraprofessional for 22 years, 12 of which have been at Littleton.
“I never had this career on my radar until a friend 25 years ago said, ‘you would be so good with our special ed kids.’ I subbed as a para for a year at all three grade levels and quickly fell in love with the job. I’ve never looked back!” said Ms. TeKolste.
Ms. Tekolste’s approach to teaching focuses on empowering her students. “My goal has always been to come everyday wanting at least one student to feel some kind of success before the school day ends,” said Ms. Tekolse.
“I’ve loved the relationships I’ve built with so many kids and will never forget seeing a student a few years after graduation at King Soopers when he ran up to me, hugged me, and said, ‘I tell everyone you were like a mom to me. I miss you.’”
Ms. TeKolste’s retirement came earlier than expected, but the birth of her grandson prompted her to prioritize spending time with her family. “His birth this July prompted me to retire earlier than I expected to. I’m going to love the flexibility of being able to go to Pittsburgh to see him whenever I want and to travel with my husband.”
However, she still hopes to remain engaged with the community. “I’ve already been hired by the substitute agency for LPS, so hope to sub lots next year when I’m in town.”
Angie McLaughlin has worked as a paraprofessional at LHS for 15 years. She always planned on being an early childhood educator but is grateful that her life worked out differently. When she graduated with a degree in psychology, she was referred to the LHS Special Education Department.
“My friend Deanna Encinias encouraged me to apply for LHS’s open paraprofessional position in the Center Base Program. I got the job and I’ve been here ever since!”
Her passion for her job is about providing students with the best possible education they can get.
“Supporting students with disabilities in the inclusive general education classroom and in community jobs allows them the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and friendships they couldn’t have otherwise.”
Having left a loving legacy at Littleton, Ms. McLaughlin’s future plans “include travel, relaxation, learning new things, and enjoying my family and friends.”
Tracey Henderson-Edwards has been a paraprofessional for the past 23 years. 20 of those years have been with LPS.
“My youngest was headed to kindergarten, and I wanted something to do while all three of my children were in school. We were at an open house when the principal at the elementary school suggested I apply for a position in the Center Base department. I applied, was hired, and I’ve never regretted my decision.”
Her passion comes from the emotional connections she forms with her students. “As we know, center based can be challenging but when I walk in the classroom and I hear ‘Miss Tracey’ and the student has a smile on their face, or when I’m in the community and a former student gives me a hug and tells me ‘that they miss me,’ it makes my heart sing,” said Ms. Henderson-Edwards.
In the next phase of her life, Ms. Henderson-Edwards will be focusing on another passion. “[I want] to eventually become a full time interior designer and work alongside my contractor husband and our two boys.”
Heather Stukey has been a Special Education teacher in the Center Based program for 30 years. Her long-time passion for working with disabled communities led her to Littleton.
“I worked in a group home setting with students with significant disabilities and wanted the opportunity to make more of a difference than I felt I could make in that setting. As soon as I stepped into the classroom, I knew I had made the right decision.”
She says that her goal has always been to provide students with increased independence through building crucial skills and confidence.
She will continue her commitment to her students even after she retires. “My husband (also a special education teacher) is retiring as well. We have plans to travel far and wide and to get involved with the NSCD in Winter Park. This will allow me to stay connected with some of our students, but in a different way,” she said.
The NSCD (or National Sports Center for the Disabled) is an organization offering recreational, competitive, and adaptive sports for disabled children and adults.
Although these staff members are leaving at the end of the year, their impact on the Littleton community will remain utterly transformative.
