Pinellas trainer shocked with ‘Particular Training Instructor of the 12 months’ recognition

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. – A particular schooling trainer at Nina Harris Distinctive Scholar Training Middle in Pinellas Park is getting nationwide consideration.

The Council for Distinctive Kids named Dr. Kristie Jo Redfering it’s 2023 Nationwide Particular Training Instructor of the 12 months. The Council and Redfering’s college students and coworkers shocked her with a celebration Wednesday full with a crimson carpet.

She was shocked, saying, “It was heartening, and I simply really feel very appreciative.”

READ: Watch: 100-year-old girl graduates highschool in ‘most memorable’ ceremony

“What we do as lecturers, we do for our youngsters,” Redfering stated. “We do it, as a result of we love the children, however you don’t even understand all through your profession, that is my 18th yr educating, and also you simply don’t understand that you just type of prefer to be acknowledged by your colleagues. And so, to be acknowledged by my colleagues, it’s type of the primary time that I actually felt like folks seen what we do, and it’s not simply what I do, it’s what all the lecturers at this college and different faculties do.”

The Council’s Govt Director Chad Rummel stated Redfering stood out as somebody extraordinarily dedicated to her college students’ success after studying the letter her principal wrote for her nomination.

“There are particular folks which can be capable of put their work and their ardour and their dedication to college students at the beginning else and that’s positively who Kristie Jo Redfering is,” Rummel stated. “She’s someone who understands that her place on this Earth is to make an influence on these children’ lives and that is what she’s doing.”

Pinellas County Colleges Superintendent Kevin Hendrick was additionally on the celebration. He stated the nationwide recognition is essential and speaks to the extent of help college students with disabilities obtain within the district.

MORE: Hillsborough County trainer goes viral in epic dance-off with scholar

“It’s large to see our lecturers acknowledged on a nationwide stage,” Hendrick stated. “To see the joy of the scholars, her household, her personal son who attends the college, I imply how particular it’s, and in order the superintendent, these alternatives to have a good time our lecturers like this on a grand scale with this pomp and circumstance, it is simply superior.” 

Redfering has been educating for 18 years and has been at Nina Harris Distinctive Scholar Training Middle, the place her son is a scholar, for 4 years. She gained Florida Instructor of the 12 months from the Florida Council for Distinctive Kids in October. 

Referring stated she’s happy with the award, as a result of it places her college students within the nationwide highlight.

“These are oftentimes ignored college students and so, to have the ability to shine a light-weight on them and say, ‘hey, these children are making progress. These children are essential. There are issues that we will do higher. There are issues that we should always do higher,’ is large,” she stated.

She stated her mom was additionally an distinctive scholar schooling trainer.

PREVIOUS: State Faculty of Florida nursing program works to reverse scarcity with additional funding

“They aren’t a incapacity. {That a} scholar that makes use of a wheelchair, that doesn’t outline that particular person. That could be a particular person,” Redfering stated. “A scholar with Autism isn’t an autistic particular person. It’s a individual that has a incapacity and has wants which can be totally different than different folks, however additionally they have wants which can be precisely the identical as all people else and so, to have the ability to perceive that disabilities don’t outline an individual is essential.”

She additionally stated particular schooling is a workforce effort.

“No one can do that job by themselves, and whatever the nice concepts that you’ve got, it’s inconceivable to implement by your self,” she stated. “It’s a workforce. All of us work collectively from our plant operations, our cafeteria, our assistants within the classroom. All of our therapists, the directors, workplace employees, all people is a part of the workforce. No one is an island at this college.”

Redfering additionally obtained a money prize of $2,000 and a $1,000 classroom grant. She may also get journey and lodging to go to the Council for Distinctive Kids’s conference in Louisville the place she might be acknowledged.