Emanuel Colon was nominated by his colleague, Jenifer Lawson.
"Mr. Colon, or 'Mr. Dinosaur,' as many students lovingly refer to him, is an integral part of our school. He works closely with faculty, parents, and students to find ways they can become the best version of themselves," said Lawson. "Though he deals with a brunt of the school's behavioral concerns, he does so with a smile on his face. He is always available to lend a hand. He is always willing to go the extra mile to make a faculty member or student's day better. He is committed to excellence and helps build RVE's school culture by being a dependable, friendly, and intelligent resource for all! All of RVE staff would agree that our school is a better place with Mr. Colon here. Thank you for all you do, Mr. Colon!"
We are so fortunate to have Mr. Colon at Ridge View. He goes above and beyond to ensure that students and staff receive the help and support they need each and every day. His ability to connect and build relationships with others is what makes him such a special part of our school. Mr. Colon helps students feel safe and calm. He provides them time and space to work through tough emotions that they may not otherwise be able to cope with on their own. He truly makes a difference at Ridge View and changes the lives of children for the better. We are grateful for Mr. Colon and all that he does!
I am the assistant principal at the school where Mr. Colon works. He is just incredible in every way. He will drop anything to help a student or teacher. He always has a smile on his face and can find a way to make the most frustrated students calm down and regulate. He builds relationships with students who struggle and does an amazing job of teaching and practicing skills with them so they can meet their full potential. He is the best!
We are SO grateful for Mr. Colón! He is kind, resourceful, and helpful. The students love him, and we teachers rely on him to help us every day. We couldn't do this without him!
Manny is the heart and soul of our school! We appreciate all you do!
Manny Is the most compassionate person I have come across. He has an amazing gift for making students feel safe and special. Many of the "tougher" students depend deeply on Manny. I believe that the children Manny serves have had their lives changed because they know him. Manny not only cares for the students, but checks in and supports the staff at Ridge View. He is one of the best things at Ridge View Elementary and deserves this honor.
Mr. Colon started at our school the first year it opened and since then he has continued to prove again and again that he is the heart of our school. We have the largest student population in the district which also means we have a high number of students with diverse needs. Mr. Colon never pauses to help our students and can often be seen running from one end of the building to the other multiple times a day as he answers the call to help a student in need. He is also there for teachers, staff and parents. No matter how busy he is, he finds the time to talk through situations with parents or help a teacher come up with a plan to support students or share a warm smile with anyone who needs cheering up. If you were to ask, the students at our school would definitely say he's the coolest person here and makes them feel welcome and accepted at Ridge View Elementary. We are proud of Mr. Colon and so grateful for his presence at our school!
He is AMAZING with the students he helps! The students are lucky to have him! Our school is so lucky to have him! He handles every situation with kindness. He's always ready and willing. He is concerned for all the students at our school and wants the best for all of them. He also cares about the faculty and goes out of his way to make sure they're having a good day too. You couldn't ask for a better person to be in the lives of the students and faculty!
I learn so much from Mr. Dinosaur every day! He genuinely connects with students--and they can tell. Kids feel safe enough around him to take feedback and improve behaviors. Teachers (and I!) feel supported by him whenever a difficult situation comes up. We know Manny will give us the best he's got, that he's on our side, and he's in it to win it!
I cannot imagine our school without Mr. Colon. He does so much for the teachers, students and families at our school. He is always so willing to help whenever it is needed. He shows nothing but love and concern for his students and the faculty at our school. We are so incredibly lucky to have him here. Thank you so much for everything! We would be lost without you!