Robertson Kitchen & Bath Difference Maker: Samantha Young, Alliance

NAME – Samantha Young

SCHOOL – Alliance Elementary School

RESIDENCE – Alliance

JOB TITLE – Teacher's aide.

HOW LONG WITH DISTRICT? – Five years.

FAMILY – Married for five years to Lee; and children, Chloe, 13; Kaylyn, deceased; Joseph, 11; Damien, 10; and Bailey, 3.

WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR POSITION? – The most rewarding part of my job is learning about each individual child and implementing unique accommodations that work for one child compared to another. I love trying to figure out the best way to get the most out of each day. For example, allowing a student to sit in a beanbag chair, using a timer to work for a set amount of time then take a short break, or watching out for triggers and taking a student for a brief walk to calm down. Seeing the children succeed is a great feeling.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING? – Having some days where you feel like no matter what you do you cannot help. Students have days that can be more challenging than others and all I want to do is make it better. I will work throughout that day trying different strategies to get the student back on track with learning. Everyone has days that are harder than others, so with everything I try, I always make sure to tell the student that tomorrow is a new day and I will see them in the morning.

IF YOU WEREN'T DOING THIS YOU'D BE ... – ... a grief or trauma counselor. I have a long life story and I have fought hard to make sure I have got to where I am today so if I ever chose a different career path it would be in counseling children who are dealing with grief and/or trauma. I absolutely love my job though and working with my students.

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT THE STUDENTS YOU DEAL WITH THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW OR APPRECIATE – My students are very social and bright. They love to interact with new people and make new friends. They are also very caring when it comes to their friends and want to let others know if they have any concerns that they feel need addressed. My students can for sure be a rowdy bunch but they are all so sweet and kind and watch out for one another as well.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND AFTER A LONG DAY AT WORK? – I have about a 10-minute drive home from work, so I like to put on some music and roll the windows down and just drive. Music is always my go-to when I need to unwind. I listen to a wide array of music, but my go-to is rock.

STUDENTS AND COWORKERS WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT YOU ... – ... graduated from Alliance myself in 2006. I am now grateful to work alongside several teachers that I had when I was a student. Mrs. Balderson, Mrs. Fails and Mr. Duncan were all my teachers at South Lincoln. Mr. Zemrock was my gym teacher at Stanton Middle School, and I was the last eighth-grade class in that school, and when I was in high school, I was lucky enough to have Mr. Jackon for history and Mr. Gress was my principal. I am so lucky to work for and with such amazing staff and to be a part of the Alliance Aviators.

WHAT IS ONE RESPONSIBILITY ABOUT YOUR POSITION THAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW EXISTED BEFORE TAKING IT? – I had been an assistant previously, and I was more of a remain-in-the-background type of person because that was what was expected of me. Walking into this position I assumed I would be doing the same thing. I was grateful to quickly find out I would have more interaction with the children and be helping more in the classroom and have the ability to implement some of my own ideas as well very quickly.