Tag: Meet the Howe Team

Meet the Howe Team – Todd Zamora

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Each month we are spotlighting different staff members to encourage appreciation and awareness. This month join us in welcoming Todd Zamora! One of our newest members of the Howe Team! We are so grateful to have him.

Todd Zamora

Todd and his wife

My name is Todd Zamora and I’m a 5th grade teacher here at Howe Elementary.  My goal here is to give a quality education to the students, build positive relationships, and help make this educational journey a fun and memorable experience for all.  

I’ve been in elementary education for over 13 wonderful years. I received my teaching certification at Wayne State University. Although I’ve taught for over 13 years, I’ve only recently begun teaching here at Howe since October of this school year. I previously worked at Cesar Chavez Academy in Southwest, Detroit. Through those experiences at CCA, I learned so much about how to build meaningful relationships in the classroom along with a deep understanding of how to teach to a diverse group of learners. I’m so happy to have the opportunity to teach here at Howe and hopefully have a positive impact on the students and community. 

There were many reasons why I wanted to work at Howe. After meeting most of the staff, I believe they share the same vision that I have when it comes to education. I could tell they care about giving the students the best experience possible during their time here at school. I made an immediate connection to their ideas and philosophies on how education should be for elementary students, and it mostly starts with having a huge heart for teaching. In addition, after meeting some of the students and their families, it didn’t take me long to make the decision for Howe to be my new home.  

A little bit about me…I moved to Dearborn over 20 years ago and started a family here. I have a wife, 3 children, and a very animated and fearless Yorkie puppy. We love to have family gatherings together with each other along with my extended family.  We especially enjoy having outside barbecues in the spring or summer together. Furthermore, we do our best to go on as many adventures or vacations as we can as a family. Our favorite place to visit is Traverse City, MI. 

Some of my personal interests include supporting all of our local professional sports teams, especially the Detroit Lions! I really enjoy, like I mentioned previously, spending time with my family. We do many things together such as traveling, snowboarding, skiing, hiking and exploring our great state. All of my interests will somehow include spending time with my family. 

I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to be a 5th grade teacher here at Howe elementary. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me here. 

Mr. Zamora’s Family

Meet the Team – Lisa Llanos

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Each month, we are highlighting different staff members to encourage appreciation and awareness. This month join us in thanking Lisa Llanos! If you meet her in the hallway, greet her and say thank you for all she does for Howe. 

Lisa Llanos

Job Title: SPED paraprofessional 

Description of what you do for Dearborn Schools in 3 sentences or less:
I work with SXI kids. We try to teach them independence. Some are very severe so they depend on us to feed and take care of them.

What Elementary School did you attend? (Name, City, State)
School Three. Ecorse, MI.

How long have you been at Howe and how many years of professional work experience do you have?
7 years at Howe and 11 years with professional work experience.

What did you want to be when you grew up?  
Marine Biologist.

Name something you look forward to each day you walk into Howe? 
I love to see our kids excited to be in school and make their day special.

What was your first job?
Taco Bell

Share with us a few of your favorite things… 
Time with my family, working out, great food and chocolate.

What is your favorite genre of books to read?
Realism/Thriller

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies? 
Roller skate, dancing, and cooking.

How would your co-workers describe you?
Helpful and fun to work with.

What is your greatest achievement?
My children

What parts of our school Mission/Beliefs/Vision do you connect with?
Everyone treated with respect and equality.

How would you describe our school culture?
Multi culture.

What is your classroom like?
Functional life skills

Do you have a success story, aha moment, or funny school memory you can share?
We celebrate students when they learn new words or learn any more independent behavior.

Meet the Howe Team – Mrs. Filas

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Each month we are highlighting different staff members to encourage appreciation and awareness. This month take a moment to say hello to Mrs. Filas! A cheerful greeting or smile can help create a school full of warmth. Her work is so appreciate in the lives of those she impacts. Thanks for all you do!

Nicole Ashley Filas

Job Title: High School Severe and Multiply Impaired Teacher 

Description of what you do for Dearborn Schools in 3 sentences or less:
Making a difference, one life at a time. 

What Elementary School did you attend? (Name, City, State)
St. Joseph Catholic School. Howell, MI

How long have you been at Howe and how many years of professional work experience do you have?
9 years at Howe School.

What did you want to be when you grew up? 
A doctor

Name something you look forward to each day you walk into Howe? 
The excitement and happiness on my students’ faces.

What was your first job?
Pool concession stand.

Share with us a few of your favorite things…
shopping, basketball, swimming, and my children.

What is your favorite genre of books to read?
True Crime

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?
Ability to play basketball in a wheelchair.

How would your co-workers describe you? 
Caring

What is your greatest achievement? 
Getting out of a wheelchair and relearning how to walk again.

What parts of our school Mission/Beliefs/Vision do you connect with? 
Promoting independence with Functional life skills.

How would you describe our school culture?
Inclusive and welcoming

What is your classroom like? 
A loving family community 

What’s the day-to-day of your role like? 
Every day is a different experience!

Do you have a success story, aha moment, or funny school memory you can share? 
When my class was out on community based instruction, one of my students got a person to put a turkey on the back of his wheelchair without our knowledge. He almost stole a turkey and a 6 pack of orange pop!

Meet the Howe Team – Nehme Jaafer

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Each month we are spotlighting different staff members around the building to help build a sense of community at Howe. This month we highlight paraprofessional Nehme Jaafer! His work makes incremental change for students in room 113 and can be an inspiration for us all to take one step towards a brighter future.

Nehme Samer Jaafer

Job Title:  Special Education Paraprofessional (room 113)

Description of what you do for Dearborn Schools in 3 sentences or less: 
I work endlessly daily to assist my students in striving to be as independent as possible through motivation, support, and education.

What Elementary School did you attend? (Name, City, State)  
Kinloch Elementary School.  Dearborn Heights, MI

How long have you been at Howe and how many years of professional work experience do you have?  
Second year with the district, and 1 year long-term sub.

What did you want to be when you grew up? 
Lawyer

Name something you look forward to each day you walk into Howe? 
Putting a positive impact on all students.

What was your first job? 
Car Wash

Share with us a few of your favorite things… 
Family, travel, food, and friends.

What is your favorite genre of books to read? 
Non-Fiction

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?  
Speaking 3 languages, responding to high stress situations.

How would your co-workers describe you?  
Supportive and a blessing

What is your greatest achievement?  
Graduating college

What parts of our school Mission/Beliefs/Vision do you connect with?  
No student left behind

How would you describe our school culture?  
Awesome and supportive

What is your classroom like?  
Life skills lessons, constant education

What’s the day-to-day of your role like?
Feeding students, preparing them for life

Do you have a success story, aha moment, or funny school memory you can share?  
I was part of preventing a high school student from failing at Edsel Ford High School, now on track to graduate. 

Meet the Howe Team – Cedric Watson

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Each month, we are showcasing different staff members to encourage appreciation and awareness. Get to know them, greet them, and say thank you for their hard work! This month, take a moment to get to know Cedric Watson! With a curious question or a grateful smile of appreciation we can fill the school with warmth and joy!

Cedric Howard Watson

Job Title:
MOVE /behavior paraprofessional

Description of what you do for Dearborn Schools in 3 sentences or less:
I deal with behavior issues.  It take students on “move” breaks.  Assist with transporting.  

What Elementary School did you attend? (Name, City, State) 
Anderson Elementary.  Flint, MI

How long have you been at Howe and how many years of professional work experience do you have?
2 years

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Musician/Song-writer

What was your first job? 
Dishwasher at a Taco House

Share with us a few of your favorite things… 
Working out

What is your favorite genre of books to read? 
The Bible

Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies? 
Barber

How would your co-workers describe you? 
outgoing

What is your greatest achievement?
Graduating college

What parts of our school Mission/Beliefs/Vision do you connect with?
Helping students maximize their potential.

How would you describe our school culture? 
Very diverse

What’s the day-to-day of your role like?
Helping specific students from class to class with walking.  

Do you have a success story, aha moment, or funny school memory you can share? 
Helping Yousef with talking and overall body control. 

Meet the Howe Team – Manal Baydoun

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Each month, we are spotlighting different staff members around the building to encourage appreciation and awareness. Show some love this month to Manal Baydoun with a warm smile or a note of appreciation! A small gesture goes a long way in letting someone know they belong. ❤️

Manal Baydoun

Job Title: 
Early Childhood Specialist at Howe and Howard 

Description of what you do for Dearborn Schools in 3 sentences or less:
I work with kindergarten and 1st grade students providing extra intervention support in both reading and writing. 

What Elementary School did you attend?
I attended Woodworth Elementary school in Dearborn when it was a K-8 school.

How long have you been at Howe and how many years of professional work experience do you have? 
This is my first year at Howe.
I have a been a teacher for 19 years.

What did you want to be when you grew up?  
I always knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was a young girl. 

How would you describe our school culture?
Howe school culture is really a very positive one with great teachers and support staff who are very welcoming.

What’s the day-to-day of your role like? 
My role is to work with small groups of 3 students in a group working on reading/phonics and writing skills.

Meet the Howe Team – Melissa Roskelly

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Each month we are spotlighting professionals around the building to share what they do and who they are. This month, we are highlighting Melissa Roskelly! Each staff member makes a difference in the school culture and it’s wonderful to have a bright personality like Melissa in the building! If you see Melissa offer a warm smile back and strike up a conversation!

Melissa Roskelly

Job Title: Elementary SCI Teacher
Description of what you do for Dearborn Schools in 3 sentences or less: 
I teach students with cognitive impairments. We play through educational toys to learn basic life skills. 

What Elementary School did you attend? (Name, City, State) 
St. Michaels, Livonia, Michigan.

Trick or treating with students
Trick or Treat night with students

How long have you been at Howe and how many years of professional work experience do you have?  
5 Years of teaching at Howe. 6 years of teaching all together! 

What did you want to be when you grew up?  
Teacher or Dermatologist.

Name something you look forward to each day you walk into Howe? Name something you look forward to the second you step into your home? 
-The smiles on the kids’ faces. 
-My family and spending time together

What was your first job? 
Babysitter

Share with us a few of your favorite things…
Coffee, Target, and outside adventures

What is your favorite genre of books to read? 
Drama or historical fiction

How would your co-workers describe you?
Energetic and bubbly

What is your greatest achievement?
Becoming a teacher and a mom! 

What parts of our school Mission/Beliefs/Vision do you connect with?
I believe we foster a nurturing and caring environment that provides many learning opportunities.

What is your classroom like?
Busy and Fun! 

Captioned from left to right decending.
Pic 1: Pets
Pic 2: Family adventure Christmas tree hunting!
Pic 3: Family Dressed as a pack of dogs for trick or treat
Pic 4: Melissa and student on field trip swimming
Pic 5 and 6: Students doing educational play at school

Meet the Team! Johnny Borg

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Each month, we are spotlighting different staff members around the building to help bring the Howe community together. So here we have a great Physical Education Teacher at Howe, Johnny Borg! If you know him thank him, if you see him give him a big smiling wave! We might be grateful for the gitters he helps the kids wiggle out but the physical challenge, coordination, corporation, and confidence he helps our students build is vital in and out of the classroom!

Johnny Borg

Job Title

Physical Education Teacher

Description of what you do for Dearborn Schools in 3 sentences or less:

I teach physical education to kids with disabilities at Howe School. I also coach wrestling at Edsel Ford High School.

What Elementary School did you attend? 

I grew up in Dearborn attending Snow Elementary School,  Stout Middle School, and Edsel Ford High School.

How long have you been at Howe? 

I have been at Howe for 10 years.

What is your classroom like? 

I want to give all of my students happiness through accomplishments, no matter how small those accomplishments may be. I try to push the limits to give all my students new experiences.

What is your greatest achievement? 

I have a wife and two kids that keep me very busy!

Meet the Howe Team! – Phillips

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Each month we are highlighting professionals around the building and sharing what they do and a little about who they are. Read the post to learn more about Rosie Phillips! We are grateful to have resources in our school to support our little ones needs socially and emotionally. If you see Rosie, introduce yourself, say thank you and help make Howe a warm and inviting place to be.

Rosie Phillips

Rosie's school picture from 2022
School picture of Rosie Phillips, 2022.

Job Title: School Social Worker

Description of what you do for Dearborn Schools in 3 sentences or less: 

I work with the staff and students to help support them socially and emotionally. I service both the Montessori and the Special Education students in the building.

How long have you been at Howe and how many years of professional work experience do you have? 

This is my very first year at Howe and in the Dearborn Public Schools. Previously I worked as a school social worker for two years in a charter school. Prior to that I worked as a caseworker at an adoption agency for three years. 

Share with us a few of your favorite things… 

I enjoy reading (especially in the summer when I can do it in my hammock), spending time with my husband and cats, and traveling, baking, and being outdoors (usually in my garden or on a trail walk.)

What is your classroom like? 

My room is known as a calming and relaxing space, at least that is what those who stop by say. I keep string lights up and am not a fan of the overhead lighting and have plenty of games and activities to use with students!

Philips Family with their Cats, Cosmo and Marigold

Name something you look forward to each day you walk into Howe? Name something you look forward to the second you step into your home?  

Each day I look forward to seeing the students in the morning. It truly is my favorite way to start the day. I enjoy seeing them and getting them excited for their day ahead! At the end of each day I always look forward to my two cats greeting me at the front door the second I get home.

Phillips Family with cats Cosmo and Marigold

What’s the day-to-day of your role like? 

My day to day is always different– that is the life of a social worker! I always like to start my day greeting the students when they arrive, letting them in the building, then I make my rounds to different classrooms to do morning check-ins with students. The rest of the day varies with meetings, seeing students, finding new things to do with students, etc. I always enjoy that no day is the same and I love the outlook that every day is a new day!

This is me on my honeymoon when my husband and I hiked at Acadia National Park.
Rosie on her honeymoon with husband during hiked at Acadia National Park.

Meet the Howe Team! – Adams, Gail and Sisoy

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This round we are featuring a special group of ladies who all work in the same classroom. They refer to themselves as the Adams & Company. What an amazing group of ladies dedicated to our students for such a long time! Show them kindness with a thoughtful word of encouragement or pop your head into their classroom to wave hello! Read more about them here…

Full Name: 

Kathleen Adams   Gail Sosnitza   Leslie Sisoy

Job Title:  The Education Team for Room 107

Description of what you do for Dearborn Schools in 3 sentences or less: 

Mrs Adams is the teacher and Ms. Gail and Ms. Sisoy are the para educators 

What Elementary School did you attend? 

Mrs. Adams went to Perrinville in Livonia. 

Ms. Gail went to Madison in Dearborn Heights.  

Ms. Sisoy went to elementary school in Detroit.

How long have you been at Howe and how many years of professional work experience do you have? 

Mrs. Adams has worked for DPS for 35 years.

Ms. Gail for 25 years.  

Ms. Sisoy for 25 years.  

We have worked together as Adams & Company for over 22 years.  Most of our time was spent at Snow School until we moved here. We absolutely love our new school.

What is your greatest achievement? 

We all agree that our greatest achievement is our families.  

What is your classroom like? Our classroom is warm and nurturing.  Everyone is welcome in our classroom.  

We expect great things from our children and they never disappoint!  They work so hard in school to be the very best they can be.

What’s the day-to-day of your role like? 

Room 107 is a busy place.  We work on independent living skills, like eating, dressing, using the bathroom, walking, and communicating.  These skills are practiced throughout the day while working on academics.  We have language arts and math everyday and alternate monthly between science and social studies.