Miss Salli Robinson is an exception in many ways–an exceptional counselor, an exceptional listener, an exceptional educator, and an inspiration to the students at West Jordan’s Hawthorn Academy.
On June 1st, Hawthorn Academy counselor Miss Salli Robinson stood in front of an auditorium full of rambunctious elementary students and middle schoolers to receive a special surprise: a $250 award for her excellence as an educator.
In the past, this award–the Supplies for Success Teaching Award–has typically gone to a teacher in the community. Yet, just as Miss Robinson sets the exception by going above-and-beyond her duties as a school counselor, she has become the exception by being the first counselor to win the Supplies for Success Award.
Miss Robinson personally cares and invests herself in the concerns, needs, and opportunities of every student at Hawthorn Academy. She makes time to meet with students one-on-one and come to understand their struggles and learning challenges.
Moragh Louise, a parent of a student with special needs, says of Miss Robinson:
“My child loves going to [Miss Salli’s] office because he feels safe and knows she cares about him. He knows Miss Salli will always have something for him to fiddle or play with so that he can listen in class, or that he can play with her puzzles while they talk about some things that are a little difficult. We have never had a counselor [or] teacher that has helped our child so much.”
This kind of personal attention often requires Miss Robinson to dip into her own pocket to help provide students with manipulatives and teaching tools to help them listen, learn, and participate better in class. Because of this, local law firm Christensen & Hymas selected Miss Robinson as this school year’s final recipient of the Supplies for Success Teaching Award, which seeks to offset educators’ out-of-pocket expenses.
Miss Robinson’s ability to care and influence doesn’t stop with her students. “Her office door is open for students, parents, and faculty alike,” says Principal Deborah Swenson. In addition to her work in the office, Miss Robinson spends time in the classroom working with parents in the school’s Love and Logic classes. These classes help teach parents fun and engaging parenting techniques which help them become more involved with their child’s education, building a foundation for future home and educational success. She also visits classes giving presentations that help students develop social skills and set important goals for the future.
“[Miss Robinson] is a caring counselor and students feel safe being able to go and talk with her,” says Principal Swenson. “She is an amazing counselor who makes a difference in the lives of students.”
To nominate a teacher for the Supplies for Success teaching award, click here.