We are pleased to feature Tonya Mathisen, one of our wonderful Teaching Aides at Hoosic Valley! Tonya brings enthusiasm and dedication to her role, always striving to make meaningful connections with students and ensure learning is fun.
Recently, Tonya had a great experience outside of the building when she gathered with a group of colleagues to discuss their new roles. “We bounced ideas off each other and gave feedback on what has worked and not worked for us in the past. It was a great way to collaborate and support one another,” she shared.
One of the most meaningful moments in her role came when a parent of a student she had worked with for years still reached out after moving out of the district. The student regularly calls to tell Tonya about their day. “Knowing that I made a connection with that child and parent is an amazing feeling,” she said.
Tonya believes in the power of relationships and invests extra time in getting to know her students—their good moods, bad moods, likes, and dislikes. “When working with kids, I try to make it as fun as possible. I think it’s important to invest time in getting to know them,” she reflects.
She has also learned a lot from the teachers she has worked with across various grade levels in both buildings. “I’ve had many ‘teachable moments’ with teachers, and two key lessons stay with me: knowing the difference between big problems and small problems, and focusing on what can be changed, while forgetting about what can’t.”
Tonya hopes her story inspires others to remember that learning can be fun and that your attitude plays a big role in shaping the day. “Don’t forget to have fun. Learning can be fun. Your day depends on you,” she adds.
