Azreal has boundless energy and exhibits the ability to truly enjoy and appreciate our students. Over the past month, she has been an amazing resource and support for new staff. She has also been increasingly engaged in classroom meetings and other professional developments, exhibiting a desire to learn, collaborate and support. Azreal has had a significant presence throughout the school community. Her laughter can be heard throughout the hallways, creating a sense of fun and stability. She is always eager to help in any situation and is open to growing and learning about new students and new educational tools. [...]

We are very fortunate to have a number of veteran staff who fulfill many roles with grace, calm and kindness, focusing solely on the best interest of the students, not seeking accolades or comfort for themselves. Their skills and experience lend themselves to be able to support with a wide variety of students as well as coordinate activities that benefit the school-wide community. Mr. Noriega is always willing, at a moment's notice, to join a situation, change his daily plan and participate in student discussions. He has even turned his car around and returned to school when he [...]

What impact has Tashiemia had on colleagues and students over the past month? Tashiemia demonstrates punctuality and professionalism daily. She takes excellent data collection on Catalyst and demonstrates strength in conscientiously implementing programs. Tashiemia implements targets as written by the teacher and gives thoughtful feedback on programs. In addition, she is quick to create new materials needed for a student’s program. Her data is always consistent with the performance seen by the teacher. Tashiemia cares about our student’s programming and wants them to get the most out of their time in school. She has a true passion [...]

One of our amazing staff members, Michael Shashaty, had the pleasure of traveling on the Autism Cruise over the summer. Prior to this summer, I had never been on a plane. Before that, I had visited only a handful of states. Traveling was not something I envisioned myself doing, and certainly not to another country. Autism has provided me with many blessings in life: a career, friends, colleagues and a purpose. A few weeks ago, I found myself on the most breath-taking island in the world, swimming alongside fish in crystal blue lagoons and conversing with people [...]

As the 2019-2020 school year begins, we were excited to start with positives messages to our students and will continue with the positives as the year goes on!  The B.E.S.T Academy Staff members came together to create some beautiful chalk art to give our students special welcome back messages. The children enjoyed seeing the chalk art as they entered both the front and back of the building. We welcomed some new staff members and students the start of this school year. We are very happy to see everyone back and can not wait to see the great things we [...]