Parkwood teacher honored as STAR 101.5 Elementary Teacher of the Week

Ronald McDonald, Washington Dairy Princess Nichole, STAR reporter
Scott Carty, students Jakub Russo, and Alek McCommas surround
Parkwood teacher Mollie Overa
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

On Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 10:00am, radio station STAR 101.5 surprised Parkwood Elementary teacher, Mrs. Mollie Overa, by presenting her with the STAR 101.5 Elementary Teacher of the Week award.

Parkwood students, staff, STAR reporters, Dairy Princess, and R McD
surround Parkwood teacher Mollie Olvera
Students hold the $100 check she was given
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

In a local contest conducted by STAR 101.5 radio, Mrs. Overa, a K-2nd grade teacher, was nominated by her students, Alek McCommas and Jakub Russo. STAR 101.5 and Lifestyle / Entertainment Reporter, Scott Carty, made a surprise visit to Mrs. Overa’s Parkwood Elementary classroom in Shoreline, 1815 N 155th St, Shoreline, WA 98133.

Here is what the nomination said about Mrs. Overa:

“Our kids are not a special needs kids; they're kids that are in need of special people in their lives. They need people who see past the diagnosis, people who help find and build on the strength at the same time helping overcome weaknesses and fears, people like Mrs. Mollie Overa who is a teacher at Parkwood Elementary School. 

"Mollie is a Kindergarten through Second grade teacher in the Blended Program at Parkwood, where her special education students blend with general education kids for portion of the day to learn things like social skills and academics using peer modeling. She is her student’s biggest advocate and wonderful partner to us parents. 

"Although having family of her own, she is always accessible to us and ready to help, even at the wee hours of the night. Every child in her classroom is unique and has unique way of learning. She and her team of paraprofessionals customize the learning process to every student so they can reach their highest potential. She is always in the process of improving her skills and finding new tools for the kids to use, tools like IPad’s and pecs communication boards.”

STAR 1015 reporter Scott Carty presents
teacher Mollie Olvera with a $100 check
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Each student received a goody bag full of prizes from McDonald’s, Dairy Farmers of Washington, KOMO 4, and STAR 101.5. Mollie Overa received a personalized plaque from Trophies2Go and a $100 check. Plus, Mrs. Overa will get a makeover courtesy of Blanc N’ Schwartz Salon in Kent.

STAR 101.5’s “Elementary Teacher of the Week” is a program that allows students to recognize local, deserving teachers for their commitment to the quality education of children. To nominate a teacher go to STAR1015.com.

Parkwood Elementary
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools

About Parkwood Elementary

“In addition to our strong academics, Parkwood is proud of our “blending” program, which serves as a model of inclusive special education. As a districtwide magnet program for students with moderate-to-severe disabilities, Parkwood serves elementary students grade K-6 with a variety of challenges including medical fragility, autism and rare disorders.

"Instead of sequestering these students into a wholly self-contained program, Parkwood’s self-contained students regularly blend with their general education counterparts for approximately 30-40% of their school day.

"Our K-2nd grade self-contained class of ten students blends with a general education 1st grade class, our 2nd-4th self-contained class of ten students blends with general education 3rd grade class; and our 4th-6th grade self-contained class of ten students blends with a general education 5th grade class. Blending occurs most frequently during morning calendar (K-2nd only), field trips and during lunch, music, recess, PE, art and other academic subjects.”