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2002 Minnesota Paraprofessional of the Year

Rose Coykendall

A Mentor for Students, Paraprofessionals, and Teachers

By Krisin Moffitt
Graduate Research Assistant

If you looked up the definition of "mentor" in the dictionary, you would read the following: a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. Peers and students describe Rose Coykendall as a mentor, advocate, and respected paraprofessional at Lakeview Elementary in Robbinsdale Rose does more than simply work with students in the classroom. She recognizes the strengths and successes or each student, as well as those of other paraprofessionals in the school. When I asked Rose what keeps her going, she repeated, "It is my hope I have made a difference for a child or for the teachers I work with."

A Mentor for Students

Rose has been a special education assistant in the Robbinsdale Schools for the past 24 years. When asked why she became a paraprofessional, Rose responded, "My dream was to be a full-time mom. The job of a para seemed to be as close to achieving that goal as I could find. Secondly, I made a promise to my niece, who struggled for life every day of her short life, that I would try to help children with disabilities."

Rose sees the potential in each student and devotes herself to his/her success. She helps to adapt and modify her students' work in the classroom, so they can reach their full potential and be successful. Lisa Marie Rye, a physical education teacher at Lakeview, said, "Rose is a positive and enthusiastic person, a trait that inspires and motivates her students." Cheryl Gustafsen, a special education teacher at Lakeview, said of Rose, "When working with the children she exemplifies the ideal-showing love, concern, firmness, calmness, and persistence."

When Rose reflects back on her experience as a special education assistant, she says, "The expression on a child's face when they do well, the note, hug, or compliment they give is the most rewarding."

A Mentor for Paraprofessionals

When Rose started working as a paraprofessional, she made the decision to be proactive. At the beginning of her career, schools did not offer staff training or continuing education or include paraprofessionals in staff development. Rose felt that paraprofessionals could not be an integral part of the education delivery process without such supports available to them. Her involvement in the Paraprofessional Union and the Education Assistant Bargaining Unit has allowed her to advocate for paraprofessional training and better health benefits.

Rose has also been a role model for her fellow paras. Karen Benson, an education assistant at Lakeview, says, "She has been a mentor to me in helping with solutions and ideas to try to make students feel better about themselves."

A Mentor for Teachers

When Rose works in the classroom, not only does she work with her students, but she also takes on the responsibility of adapting lessons so students can be successful. Mitzi Litman, Lakeview, sums up Rose's dedication to students and education: "Rose is determined to have the best program possible for the students of Lakeview School even if she has to organize everything herself." Lakeview Elementary showed its appreciation for her efforts by declaring March 15, 2002 to be "Rose Coykendall Day."

As a mentor to the students, paraprofessionals, and teachers at Lakeview, Rose is continuously reflecting on her work. She says, "I always have tomorrow to exercise what I have learned or failed to accomplish today."