Duniway's 2020 Annual Giving Campaign

 Hello my name is Sarah, and this is my third year working as the Kindergarten EA. Although this year is a challenging one for all of us, I am so pleased to be able to be part of the Kindergarten team once again. As well as teaching art lessons every week, I will also be working with small groups to help support them in their learning.

I have two kids, a fifth grader at Duniway and a 6th grader at Sellwood middle school. I have always been an involved member of the Duniway community—having served on the DAS board, led the Art program and as a former PTA President.

Working with the Kindergarteners is always fun because you never know what they are going to say next! 

 Hello! My name is Jami Symons and this will be my third year as an Educational Assistant at Duniway. I received my Bachelor of Science from Willamette University and I am currently finishing my Master of Arts in Teaching. For many years I was part of the Llewellyn Elementary School community where my three children attended school. It is with gratitude that I come to a wonderful community like Duniway! 

I work with the second grade classes and I truly love supporting the amazing students and teachers during our “distance learning” together. Specifically, I work with the classroom teachers to support students one-on-one or in small groups with reading, writing, math and science. I also want to encourage the students to think, share and ask questions, so they can truly learn. It has been a joy getting to know each student and listening to their ideas and sharing positive encouragement with them. I feel honored to be a part of this community and hope to be engaging with students and see their faces in person soon.

Hello my name is Christy Suib and the students call me Ms. Christy. This is my fourth year as an EA at Duniway and in some ways it feels like my first due to distant learning. As a mother of three children, I am very aware of the strengths, challenges, and absolute wonder of elementary-aged students. Today with distant learning, I continue to be amazed by my own children and yours, with their perseverance, compassion and willingness to help and teach each other. I am also tuned into the challenges and hardships these students face. With my past work experience with at-risk and marginalized youth in Portland, including running programs for homeless, runaway, and youth involved in the Juvenile Justice System, I am passionate about young people and creating equitable access to education and learning. This always remains in the forefront of my work.