Saturday , Feb . 11
LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC EDUCATION PAGE 4
Graduate spotlight cont . from page 8
Stand-up comedian Andy Erikson credits her Blaine High School AP history teacher Garnet Towne for teaching her to persevere .
Photo by Christina Gandolfo . be so hard .’ But she wouldn ’ t let me drop it and I ’ m so glad she didn ’ t . I learned so much — it ’ s good to do something hard . It showed me I could do anything ,” Erikson said .
“ Mr . Dahl was fun and really cool , too . He did a lot of acting things out . He taught things in a theatrical way ,” she said .
Erikson excelled in her studies at BHS and tutored Blaine ’ s ESL and AP students . She was also active in after-school activities , competing on the math team , performing with the Bengals color guard and serving as theater tech for the drama department .
“ I loved high school . I was very active in school . It was a great time ,” she said .
After completing her high school career and graduating with the class of 2005 , Erikson studied graphic design at the University of Minnesota , ultimately earning her degree and further pursuing comedy in Minneapolis .
It was at one of those comedy clubs that Erikson met a comic who would become her husband and together they moved to Los Angeles to gain exposure and recognition with their craft .
Back home , Erikson will take the stage as headliner for Anoka-Hennepin ’ s Feb . 11 , 2017 Northern Stars Gala .
Tess DeGeest , executive director of Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation , said she looks forward to seeing what Erikson brings to the annual celebration .
“ We like the idea of showcasing alumni talent … and were brainstorming when Andy ’ s name came up . Part of the appeal of Andy is that her humor is clever and not R rated like many comics can be ,” DeGeest said . “ We are hoping Andy will bring in more young alumni and parents and will help us expand our reach into the community so more people are aware of AHEF , our mission and the great work our donors are doing to benefit our students and schools .” ■
District bus paraeducator named Special Education Transportation Assistant of 2016
As a special education bus paraeducator , Shannon Hulleman ’ s job is to assist special needs students as they ride the bus to and from school . But it ’ s Hulleman ’ s knack for forming connections with her students that has earned her a statewide honor .
Hulleman has been named the Special Education Transportation Assistant of 2016 by the Minnesota Association for Pupil Transportation .
“ Shannon really respects her students , and they know that she respects them just by how she treats them ,” said Jeff Mueller , transportation safety coordinator for the Anoka-Hennepin School District . “ She has been working with a group of students that really needs someone who ’ s consistent , committed , and willing to do what it takes to provide a safe bus ride . They just needed someone like Shannon to be successful .”
So dedicated is she to her students , that when she was recently in the hospital , Hulleman had the bus driver pass by her hospital window so she could wave to them . That gave them the assurance and support that they needed , Mueller said .
“ With special needs students , consistency is key ,” he said . “ We ’ ve had students have their routine broken when they ’ ve had to take a different bus on the route . And just that change , they notice that . And Shannon has been able to give them the consistency that they need to be successful .”
A former day care worker for 25 years who tried retirement before deciding it wasn ’ t for her , Hulleman said she just loves kids .
“ I like to see them happy ,” she said . “ I have nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren .”
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Hulleman works with 14 students every day , split between three schools in the morning and three in the afternoon . They include students from elementary school , middle school and high school , and they all have varying needs and abilities .
For instance , she works with two brothers — she calls them “ my boys ” — who are age 19 , one of whom is nonverbal .
“ Every day is something different ,” she said . “ We kind of make it up as we go along . Some days are really bad , and you have to get them out of that mode and into the right mode , so it ’ s just conversation and routine . Those are important .”
Hulleman helps connect with her students by taking a keen interest in their interests , whether it ’ s Pokeman cards or books , which she scoops up regularly at garage sales to give to them , or even holiday catalogs .
“ I ’ ve spent more time going to Target and Walmart and getting the toy catalogs ,” she said . “ They wear them out .”
She said she has learned to pay attention to the little things that can make a big difference to each student , something as simple as needing to have a hood on before
I love seeing that I ’ m accomplishing something with these kids . That I ’ m making it better for them .
Bus paraeducator Shannon Hulleman has been named Special Education Transportation Assistant of 2016 by the Minnesota Association for Pupil Transportation .
getting on the bus . And when they ’ re having a tough day , she works to refocus their attention to something more positive .
“ When they ’ re anxious , you can ’ t just point out a big truck and say , ‘ Hey , watch how it ’ s carrying a load of dirt .’ They don ’ t comprehend that . So you have to find a different way to entertain them . And it might just be holding their hand ,” she said .
- Shannon Hulleman
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Traci Jackson , transportation secretary , said Hulleman is wonderful at what she does .
“ She really gets to know her students ; that ’ s what ’ s always impressed me ,” she said . “ She works with students who have needed two paras to be with them in the
past , but now all they need is Shannon .”
Hulleman said she cried when she found out she received the award — “ It ’ s quite an honor ,” she said — but she also gives credit to the bus drivers and the other paraeducators that she works with , as well as the ongoing training the district provides throughout the year .
“ It really is a team effort ,” she said . “ The schools help out , too . If there are questions you have about bullying or something , they ’ re right there to help you . They want to know what ’ s happening on the buses , too .”
When asked how much longer she wants to be a paraeducator , she said , “ forever .”
“ I love seeing that I ’ m accomplishing something with these kids . That I ’ m making it better for them ,” she said . “ As long as I can walk up three steps and down the aisle of the bus , I will be doing this .” ■ a benefit for Anoka-Hennepin students anoka . k12 . mn . us / ahef
Saturday , Feb . 11
Marriott Minneapolis Northwest • 7025 Northland Dr . N , Brooklyn Park . Nationally renown comedienne , and 2005 Blaine High School graduate Andy Erikson will headline the event with an evening of laughs and entertainment . The annual Northern Stars Celebration is the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation ’ s biggest annual fundraiser , and provides a fun way to celebrate quality education .