Park Hill Title I aide Amal Farah honored at Reiner for student support

Amal Farah, a Title I teacher assistant at Reiner in the Park Hill School District, was recognized during a school event after students and district visitors praised her work supporting reading, math and social-emotional lessons.

Farah told the group she has worked in the Park Hill School District for three years and this is her second year at Reiner. "I'm a teacher assistant, Title 1. I love my position working with the kids," she said, describing classroom duties that include small-group help in writing, math and reading.

A student credited Farah with helping make math easier, saying, "When I first came to school, math was so hard for me. Now I'm so much better at math." The student also described how Farah leads Second Step lessons and helps classmates learn social skills such as focusing attention, managing emotions and problem solving.

During the recognition, a school staff member asked Farah to come forward and Dr. Kimbrell, introduced as a visitor who recognizes outstanding school employees, told attendees Farah had been nominated by a teacher. "I get to go around to all the schools and recognize some of the very best teachers," Dr. Kimbrell said. He and others thanked Farah for what they described as her steady support for students; attendees gave her a round of applause.

School presenters and students emphasized Farah's role in emotional-behavior support, with one student saying Farah encourages techniques such as deep breathing when they feel out of control. Presenters noted the nomination cited Farah's dedication and care for students.