Mason has a difficult time going to new places, but Student Attendant Aide Emily Wagers is there to help. Ms. Wagers guided Mason as he adjusted to the new environment. He remained nervous until he rolled the ball for the first time down the lane and knocked down the pins.
“This is so fun!,” Ms. Wagers recalled hearing Mason say. She noticed that his mood completely changed
He began enjoying the trip and cheering on his friends. When the class returned to school at the end of the day, Ms. Wagers welled up with tears when she heard Mason say, “This is the best day ever!”
“The main thing that I am trying to do working with these kids (is to) let them know that you can do this, even if you’re scared, you can do this,” said Ms. Wagers.
Ms. Wagers has worked as a student attendant aide for 10 years, giving individualized attention and support to one student in Pedley Elementary School’s Functional Skills class. Ms. Wagers was recently recognized as “Best of the Best” in January 2025. Best of the Best is awarded to those nominated by their colleagues for their outstanding work.
How do you support students in the Functional Skills classroom?
“I provide individualized support to students (who) may need extra help on the playground or in the classroom. I also can help with other students, but really, I have one student that I work with.
The student might need extra prompts throughout the day or reminders. (I help them) when we go out in the community, so they won’t get lost, they need extra guidance and a hand.
I also run (student) groups or work on their goals with them. If they have higher needs in math, then I can pull them aside… such as reading or anything like that.”
What led you to become a student attendant aide?
“I come from a family of educators, so I have always kind of been around in the classroom. I just really have a passion for working with students with special needs. My sister was… a student attendant aide, and she was telling me about it, and I felt like that was calling me, so I decided to be a student attendant aide. It’s been amazing, I love it.”
What is the most rewarding part of being a student attendant aide?
“Just seeing the growth with the students. They can come in and not know how to read, and by the end of the year, they are reading books. Watching their growth academically but also through their life skills – learning how to tie their shoe, how to go to the restroom on their own… communicate, or say good morning to you when they maybe have never looked up from the ground. It’s just so rewarding, it really is.
That bond that you build with them is truly amazing, and it’s great to see how far they come in junior high and high school. It’s really cool.”
What benefits do you feel students get from having a student attendant aide in the classroom?
“My hope is that they gain independence and don’t need me to be around. My main goal is to show them and teach them so that they can feel comfortable doing things on their own.”
When students promote to middle school, do you go with them?
“I stay here (at Pedley), but it’s actually for their benefit, because then they become too attached, and they are counting on me, and I want them to be able to succeed with (anyone). Most functional skills teams stay as a unit, so (students are) comfortable with them.”
“I love working in functional skills. The teamwork we have with the staff makes all the difference. Having the same passion as the team makes for a good work environment.”
