Position: First and Second Grade Teacher
School: Prairie View Community School
School District: Prairie View Community Charter District
City, State: Chugwater , WY
Alesha Rafael was nominated by a parent of a student, Tina Dunlap-Kirlin.
"Mrs. Rafael has been a life changer in my seven-year-old autistic granddaughter's life. My granddaughter lives with me, and her kindergarten year was tough. Braylee locked away everything she learned and would not read or write at home or school," said Dunlap-Kirlin.
"Braylee entered first grade at our new charter school in Chugwater, Wy. This was the school's first year in operation after the school district pulled our school," said Dunlap-Kirlin.
"Within three weeks of starting 1st grade, Braylee came home and read me a book for the first time. She was six years old going into first grade, and we knew she was autistic but hadn't gotten the diagnosis yet. Mrs. Rafael immediately recognized that Braylee had challenges, and she and the director, Bryce Cushman, implemented help. They did not send Braylee home when she had her breakdowns; they worked with her, and within a month, not only was she reading and writing her name, but she was having fewer breakdowns. Mrs. Rafael managed to reach into the locked mind of a six-year-old (at the time) autistic little girl and unlock her mind to a whole new world of reading, writing, and math! Braylee has read well over 200 books since the school year began. She had fewer outbursts throughout the year. They hired a Para for Braylee before her IEP was done. They pushed for the state to do her IEP, and Mrs. Rafael and Mr. Cushman pushed every step to get Braylee what she needed. Braylee now does have an official diagnosis and an IEP. Braylee's mind is unlocked to so many new things! She even made the Honor Roll in the second quarter and got an award for most improvement at the spring awards the other night," said Dunlap-Kirlin.
"None of this would have happened without this teacher's love and attention to my granddaughter. She had rough days with Braylee but never gave up or wavered on her commitment. We are fortunate that Braylee will have Mrs. Rafael again next year for 2nd grade. She has helped Braylee build a foundation to continue to move forward with her learning. She helped open Braylee's closed mind. I have cried many happy tears this year with all of Braylee's accomplishments," said Dunlap-Kirlin.
"Braylee has not only opened her mind to learning, but Mrs. Rafael helped build Braylee's confidence. She helped a timid little girl open up. We have had so many compliments on how Braylee is now vs how she was in August '23," said Dunlap-Kirlin.
"I cannot say enough about the help Mrs. Rafael gave our family by helping Braylee," said Dunlap-Kirlin.