Meet Alia Hynek, new special education teacher

— from Orcas Island School District —

How would your classmates remember you?

My elementary school classmates would remember me as someone who was always singing! I still like to tie in a song or two into my days, so that really hasn’t changed. In high school my classmates would remember me for the plays–I was really into theater then.

Did you have a favorite teacher?

My favorite teacher was Mrs. Jefferies in 6th grade. She was a tough teacher, but she was very fair. Her reputation as a tough cookie preceded her, and all of the lower grades both respected and feared her. I was very nervous when I first found out I was in her class, since I was unsure that I could live up to her expectations. By the end of the year, I grew so confident in myself as a learner, it completely changed how I thought of my time in school. I became a more diligent worker and a better student after my year in her classroom.

When and why did you decide to become a teacher?

I decided to become a teacher after spending two years working as a paraeducator right here at OIES. I wanted to better advocate for our exceptional students, and help my community members to the best of my own ability. I knew I wanted to share my compassion and patience with the island’s youth, and help students build lifelong skills to one day successfully reinvest their interests and passions into their communities.