Observing students, managing behavior and supporting a safe learning environment are among the primary tasks of a special education co-teacher. Monique Ross loves learning about nerdy things, like law cases, which highlights her priority of making sure that all her students can learn and possibly love to learn
Before transferring to Texas High, Monique Ross worked at Liberty Eylau as a self-contained special education aide. Ross’s teaching style allows her to input her laid-back, inclusive personality into the lessons. As a quiet kid in high school, Ross lives by the phrase, “disability doesn’t mean inability.”
“My passion happened at Liberty-Eylau [with] the kids that I [served] there,” Ross said. “But [when] I learned [more] about them, their disabilities [and] their families, it just became my passion, especially seeing them mistreated, mishandled, not included.”
Ross’s purpose started to become clearer when she graduated from Texas High in ’93.
“This was a perfect opportunity to live my purpose because I’ve always wanted to advocate for those with disabilities,” Ross said. “This is the perfect job to do that and a perfect environment.”
Ross often collaborates with her teachers, focusing on fulfilling her students’ needs.
“So in the classes we have, she has her own roster of [special education] students,” teacher Grace Olvera said. “What she does is make sure that her students are getting their accommodations.”
During a class game, Ross demonstrates proactiveness in all her classrooms, showing she embodies the seven habits while teaching.
“And first of all, she jumps right in and does her [two truths and a lie] without me even telling her we were gonna do it,” Olvera said. “So in other words, that’s just an example of her being able to, on the spot, just jump in and be a part of things.”
Ross truly inspires a significant change in all the classrooms she works in, ensuring that everyone understands the importance of inclusion.
“She helps a great deal by being available to help with more one-on-one time with students,” English teacher Venessa Teague said. “I appreciate her willingness to make this one classroom of students and incorporate the overall positive atmosphere I always try to create.”
The importance of communication between co-teachers is evident in a positive learning environment.
“She and I have very similar beliefs about student ability and expectations from our students,” Teague said. “We have an easy flow in the classroom.”
Ross’s impact on her students and fellow teachers demonstrates her effectiveness with others.
“First of all, she has a very positive attitude, influence [and] the kids really like her,” Olvera said. “I think she recognizes a lot of what students are going through and is willing to work with them just like I am.”
Ross aspires to make a difference by resting assured that she is positively impacting her students now and those to come.
“I aspire to be one of those teachers where students [who] graduated 10 years later come back and they see me here, or see me out in public,” Ross said. “My motto is, ‘If I can reach one, I’ve done my job’.”
