Michele Palermo

Tell us why you became a teacher

I actually started working at our elementary school to be close to my own kids. I started as a substitute aide and ended up in the self contained special ed classes as they had a hard time finding and keeping subs. Turns out that I loved it! My cousin was born with a severe mental deficiency with limited language and ability, so I was familiar with the struggles that these kids were facing.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I've been working with a now 4th grade non-verbal autistic student who is heavily impacted. He tends to get violent when he is unable to communicate his needs, wouldn't you? I was with him one day when he tripped over a chair leg. He got angry and started to pick up the chair. At this point it would normally go flying across the room, but instead he looked at me and said, "I'm mad! Chair bad!" I said, "yes, the chair hurt you, I understand!". He beamed with pride, his pain was understood!

What would you do with the $25,000?

We are a tiny, semi- rural district; one elementary, middle and one high school. I would bring it to our special ed staff and put it to a vote to see what would fill the biggest need. I don't pretend to know what that might be even if I have some ideas, I would want my colleagues to weigh in.