Rodriguez, Alicia
Mrs. Alicia Rodriguez
Pre-K paraprofessional teacher's assistant
2nd grade
Rm. 101
|
Where she lives: Brooklyn Heights
Teaching since: 1987
At P.S. 8 since: 1987-1989, 2000-
|
"P.S. 8 is my second home," says Alicia Rodriguez. Mrs. Rodriguez came to Brooklyn Heights from Lima, Peru in 1970. She started college, but "I didn't like homework," she says with a smile, "so I never finished, and with two children of my own it was too hard at the time. I have always enjoyed being with kids, so I applied for a job at P.S. 8, and here I am, 20 years later!"
Mrs. Rodriguez has witnessed many changes at P.S. 8, but she always recalls the strong feeling of belonging to a community. Her own children went to P.S. 8, and next fall her granddaughter will start Pre-K at the school.
Mrs. Rodriguez has been working in Pre-K 110 with Ms. Mariann Levkulic since 2006, and they have formed a strong symbiosis: "We finish each other's sentences," she says. Alicia Rodriguez treats the young children in her class like her own grandchildren, and they sense the loving atmosphere she creates in the classroom. It is her job to help the teacher, easing small children into the rhythm of the school day. She loves reading to them, comforting them, and helping them with little tasks like tying shoes and properly washing their hands. While helping the children with their lunch, Mrs. Rodriguez teaches the little ones some Spanish words. She says, "I am 58 years old now, and I hope to retire from P.S. 8. I feel great; I am a happy person, and that keeps me young."
Posted on: January 24, 2008
