November 2016

Teacher: Michelle Fitzpatrick
School: Wilderness Elementary School

This is what Toni Lundmark had to say about her son, Ryland’s teacher, Michelle Fitzpatrick…“When you look up the definition of teacher in the dictionary it says a teacher or educator is a person who provides education for students. This does not define my son’s teacher at all.  Ms. Fitzpatrick or Ms. Patrick as my son calls her, well she is nothing short of AMAZING.  Yes, of course she does provide my son with an education…an EXCELLENT one at that. He is learning this year, he is learning because of his Ms. Patrick!!!! She has learned ways to get in that little mind of his and every other kiddo in her classroom. 

But let me tell you about the other stuff. 

Ms. Patrick has taken time out of her busy schedule to go to doctor appointments with me. I didn’t ask her to go. She offered. You see Ryland has autism, ADHD, anxiety, and also suffers from Rolandic seizures. So when I mentioned we had an appointment with the nuerologist coming up she immediately responded with want me to go? She came so she could offer a glimpse into what a day is like with my baby boy at school. When I mention this to friends and family they were shocked by this. It doesn’t surprise us though because this is how good of a heart Ms. Patrick has.

It doesn’t end there. When I mentioned that I was frustrated that our insurance wouldn’t cover OT and speech she provided me with all the resources and telephone numbers to apply for the edcd waiver, ID/DD waivers. I am happy to report now that Ryland is able to receive those services. Having a child with special needs it blows my mind that none of the doctors or specialists know anything about these waivers but this AMAZING teacher does.

Ms. Patrick gives her ALL not only to her students but to the families of her students. She works so hard. Ms. Patrick and her Paras Ms. Lauren, Ms. Chelsea, Ms, Peck, & Ms. Baker are a blessing to Wilderness Elementary and to my Ryland.”

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