This November Wheeling Park’s own Mrs. Ashlee Kuca was awarded the Health Plan’s Golden Apple Award. Kuca was awarded a $500 check to put towards any type of classroom improvement.
This achievement is given out monthly to a teacher who has gone above and beyond to help their students succeed. In order to receive The Golden Apple Award you must be nominated on the WTRF website, and the nominations are unknown to those to win the award. “I have my suspicions, but I have no idea who nominated me. Whoever it was, I am truly grateful that they felt I was worthy of such an award,” said Kuca.
Kuca is one of many teachers in Wheeling Park’s SUCCEED department. She teaches special education students through all grades at Wheeling Park, and those who make the decision to stay for the post-graduate program.
“I assist my students in preparing for life beyond high school by teaching essential life, social, and work skills through academics and hands-on experiences. I also promote independence for all of my students by encouraging self-advocacy, particularly for their academic needs, but helping them to see that those skills can be applied to other encounters in their lives,” said Kuca.
In such a big school it can be hard to make your mark, but Kusa continues to touch and inspire those around her.
“She teaches from the overflow. Which means that the kindness, and the love, and the generosity she shows just flows from within and explodes all over those around her,” said fellow SUCCEED department teacher Mrs. Dionne Cox.
Although Kuca hasn’t made any purchases with her reward money, she does have a few ideas.
“I’m still trying to make a decision there. Possibly a new functional academic program for my kids, new manipulatives, or maybe some new furniture for flexible seating,” said Kuca.
Rewards for teachers don’t always come in the form of a large check to spend at their discretion. The biggest reward Kuca has gotten to date still is her students.
“100% it’s the students, especially my kids. We spend a lot of time together, so it feels like a second family. My coworkers are great too; the teamwork within the SUCCEED Department is unique, and I’m grateful to work alongside such amazing individuals,” said Kuca.
