Celebrating Education Support Professionals during American Education Week, November 13-16, 2018
Kristy Walkup
Teacher Aide, Glens Falls High School
Every day at Glens Falls High School, you’ll find students working on project-based solutions to everyday challenges—and finding success as part of a team. And one special Teacher Aide has been part of many victories over the course of her 14 years working for the district.
“For two school years now I have worked as a one-on-one aide with a great group of students with special needs,” says Teacher Aide Kristy Walkup. “We work on real-life scenarios and how to cope with difficult situations in the real world.”
On a recent day in Ms. Walkup’s classroom, students were working on everything from reading comprehension to math skills using the weekly circular from a local grocery store.
“I truly love my job,” she says. “Seeing and being a part of any student’s success is what keeps the joy for me.”
“Kristy is a role model for her peers and students by always maintaining a positive attitude and professionalism, no matter the challenges in front of her,” says Principal Tammy Silvernell. “She does her job with tremendous care and compassion.”
Teacher Christal Walton agrees. “Kristy works in harmony with others and adds to a positive environment,” notes Ms. Walton. “She handles many situations with ease, shows pride in her work, and always displays loyalty and honestly. Kristy’s interactions with students are consistently positive. She demonstrates general warmth, caring, kindness and respect to all staff and students. She is truly as asset to our classroom.”
“The true key to success is to always stay calm and have patience,” notes Ms. Walkup, who says that the biggest change over the course of her career has been all the new technology available to students—“and the huge strides all the kids have made with it.”
Ms. Walkup’s students participate in work-based learning as well, assisting with duplication and job delivery for the district’s Instructional Materials Processing, or IMP Center. She works side-by-side with her students to fulfill the copy requests of teachers across the district.
“Kristy is kind and patient person,” says Clerk Alice Jenkins, who runs the IMP Center. “She’s willing to help anyone in the building. She genuinely cares about the students and encourages them to do their best.”
“She is always willing to do any tasks that need to be done,” echoes Mrs. Silvernell. “Her quiet leadership and service to the school are appreciated.”
Ms. Walkup is a Glens Falls alumna, having graduated in 1997… and her daughter is now also an alumna, having graduated in 2018. “We are GF Nation through and through!!!”
Glens Falls City School District celebrates national American Education Week by highlighting our “school superheroes” whose various careers touch the lives of our students and pave the way for success. Education Support Professionals—our teacher aides, teaching assistants, secretaries, custodians, and many other team members—play a crucial role in every school building, every day.