Staff Spotlight

Parapro Amy Van Schoiack loves being part of a family of helpers

by Mary Jo David

Amy Van Schoiack is coming up on 15 years as a paraprofessional with Stockbridge schools. She began her career at Smith Elementary and is currently a longtime parapro at Heritage School.

Parapros work alongside educators to help maintain a positive learning environment. Calm, patient, organized, and good communicators are common characteristics for the ideal parapro. And those are just some of the qualities exhibited by Van Schoiack.

Kevin Macomber, a fourth grade teacher at Heritage, added a few more qualities that describe Van Schoiack: invaluable, positive, and committed.

Says Macomber, “She works exceptionally well with students and staff, always bringing a positive attitude to every interaction. Amy approaches each task with pride…Her hard work and commitment not only motivate those around her but also greatly enhance the overall atmosphere of our school.”

According to fellow fourth grade teacher Kerri Allen, “Amy creates a positive and encouraging learning environment for all students. She was always ready to step in and lend a hand, no matter the challenge in our fourth grade classroom.”

Van Schoiack grew up as the fifth child in a family of seven, so in a way, she has always been immersed in group learning. She attended high school in Dexter, where she was also a cheerleader and ran track. From an early age, she’s been an animal lover, and for a while in high school she entertained the idea of becoming a veterinarian.

But her desire to be a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) won out. She and her husband Michael settled on 16 acres in the Stockbridge area and raised their two, now-grown kids—Haley and Austin—who graduated from Stockbridge High School.

Van Schoiack still has a passion for animals. When her kids were growing up, they had many animals, including horses. Now, she limits her animal fix to her two German shepherds.

As a SAHM, Van Schoiack was grateful for the time she could spend volunteering in the classroom, beginning when her youngest was in kindergarten. Once Austin was in later elementary, she began subbing as a parapro and then, ultimately, joined the ranks of full-time parapro. Over the years, her responsibilities have included a number of roles, from years of being assigned to assist a specific student, to working in the office, to covering lunch and recesses.

“I go where they need me,” Van Schoiack says. “I love when the students I work with, or their parents, notice a difference and see the progress they’re making.”

The job of being a paraprofessional has changed subtly over the years. Over time, Van Schoiack has had to adapt to deal with different behaviors.

“It’s a bit more challenging these days,” she said. “More time is spent enforcing the rules, like not using cell phones in school. As a parapro, you have to be firm, but I hope the kids sense how much I enjoy the time I spend with them.”

She also hopes her students have the desire to focus on their education as they get older, as she believes a good education will open doors for them in their future.

What advice does she have for someone starting out as a parapro?

“I’m pretty much an open book with the students. Be yourself and laugh, have fun with the kids, but then get down to business. Definitely don’t take things personally. Kids can lash out occasionally. Remember, they could be struggling with things at home or in other parts of their lives.”

As a parent and a parapro, Van Schoiack suggests that today’s parents stay involved, checking their kids’ homework and knowing who their friends are and how they’re spending their time.

Family means the world to Amy Van Schoiack—whether it’s being one of seven siblings, a mom to two kids, or among the family of parapro “helpers” in the school system. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

All photos provided by Amy Van Schoiack.

Coming up on her 15th year as a paraprofessional in Stockbridge, Amy Van Schoiack hopes the kids know how much she enjoys spending time with them.

Amy and her husband Michael settled in the Stockbridge area and raised their family here.

Outside of school, Amy loves spending time on nature walks. Her dogs, Kaiser and Kriegerin, enjoy this time as well.