Union High School paraeducator Lisa Anton, second from left, pictured on May 3 along with her family including (l-r) husband Steven Anton and daughters Emily and Sydney, following an awards assembly during which she was recognized for her 2023-24 Central Rivers Area Education Agency ‘Above and Beyond the Call’ (ABC) Paraeducator Award. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNION SCHOOLS

LA PORTE CITY – Central Rivers Area Education Agency (CRAEA) is pleased to announce that Lisa Anton, special education paraeducator at Union High School in La Porte City, is the 2023-24 recipient of the CRAEA ‘Above and Beyond the Call’ (ABC) Paraeducator Award!

Anton’s peers praised her collaboration in the classroom via their nominations:

–“Lisa helps cultivate a classroom environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning and improvement.”

–“Mrs. Anton is truly an asset to our educational community, and her positive influence extends beyond the classroom.”

–“Lisa believes EVERY STUDENT can learn regardless of any learning disability, learning level described, or otherwise stated in an “F” page or IEP.”

There were a total of 66 paraeducators nominated from across Central Rivers AEA this year for the award. Each nominee received a certificate to recognize their nomination. Entries were evaluated against the Six Paraeducator Competencies: Foundations, Learning Environment, Content & Instruction, Emotional & Behavior, Professional Relationship, and Ethical & Professional Practice.

In addition to these six competencies, certification(s) earned, professional development participation, and school and community involvement were taken into consideration.

Anton was recognized for her achievement during an awards assembly held at the Union High School on Friday, May 3.