What’s best for kids? Patti Cepeda reflects on this question often. As District 58’s behavior specialist, she works with teachers to address individual and class-wide student behavioral issues. Every situation is different. Every student is different. But Mrs. Cepeda loves the challenge and always gives her best.
And this dedication led Mrs. Cepeda to be named the 2018 Teacher of the Year by the Downers Grove Elementary Education Association (DGEEA) teachers union.
“Patti is a resource this district could not live without. She makes her knowledge of children available at a moment’s notice to ensure that every child gets what they need,” said Marla Gilbert, BEST Program teacher and DGEEA rep. “Patti’s focus is on how to make each child an available learner in whatever environment they are in or she makes sure to find them that perfect environment. Patti has touched the lives of hundreds of students to ensure the very best education for all.”
Several teachers and administrators surprised Mrs. Cepeda with the news before school on April 11, including Caitlin Choinski, a Highland School social worker and one of Mrs. Cepeda’s Teacher of the Year nominators.
“Patti is able to consistently provide guidance in a way that allows the staff to have ownership over the strategies and the plans that are put into place,” Mrs. Choinski said. “Her outlook on challenging behaviors is always positive, and she is consistently open to collaborating and providing insight into student needs. Patti has positively impacted our students, staff and district.”
Superintendent Dr. Kari Cremascoli agreed.
“Patti Cepeda embodies all the qualities of an outstanding educator. She is dedicated, compassionate and highly skilled. She does a phenomenal job working with both teachers and students to ensure children with special needs get the best education possible,” Dr. Cremascoli said. “She has had such a positive impact on our district and our students, and I am so happy that Patti was named the 2018 Teacher of the Year! It is a much-deserved honor.”
Mrs. Cepeda has served District 58 for nearly 29 years. For the majority of her career, she taught in the middle school and elementary school Alternative Education Program (now called the Behavioral, Emotional and Social Training Program). In this role, she worked with hundreds of students with special needs related to behavior, self-regulation and social-emotional management.
“At the time I started with District 58, many other school districts were outplacing students with behavior-related special needs, but District 58 recognized the value of keeping students in-district,” Mrs. Cepeda said. “The District responded to these students’ needs by creating new, specialized programs, such as the AEP (Alternative Education Program). District 58 remained at the cutting edge of doing what’s best for kids.”
As the AEP teacher, Mrs. Cepeda worked diligently to help her students succeed academically and socially-emotionally. She fondly recalls many heartwarming moments from this time.
“I once taught a student at Kingsley who was on the Autism spectrum,” Mrs. Cepeda said. “My classroom was moved across the hall, leading this student to believe I no longer worked at the school. When he discovered I was still his teacher, he hugged me with his eyes shut. I could genuinely recognize his joy, and I knew I had made a difference in his life.”
In 2013, Mrs. Cepeda was presented with a new opportunity. District 58 posted a brand new job position: the behavior specialist. This position called for her skillset, but would let her work across schools and classrooms, reaching a greater range of students. She applied and got the job.
On a day-to-day basis, Mrs. Cepeda works with individual teachers to improve whole class behaviors. She provides in-depth coaching to help teachers achieve their goals. Some classrooms might be very boisterous, others too reserved.
“Each classroom has its own personality,” she said.
Mrs. Cepeda is also called in when typical interventions fail to work for students with behavioral issues. In these cases, Mrs. Cepeda works with a special education team and the classroom teacher to create more detailed plans to address the student’s behavior.
“For example, I like to use cognitive behavioral approaches,” Mrs. Cepeda said. “Here, we use direct instruction to train a student in the behavior we expect, and we collect evidence to support what we see they’re capable of doing. Armed with this evidence we help them change the filter through which they view themselves and the world.”
Assistant Superintendent for Special Services Jessica Stewart noted that Mrs. Cepeda’s work has truly made a difference in students’ lives.
“Patti's specialized skillset and natural abilities as a collaborator make her an asset to any team digging into student behavior and looking for creative and out-of-the-box solutions,” Mrs. Stewart said.
In addition, Mrs. Cepeda also works with the District’s instructional coaches to prepare staff professional development, and she collaborates with resource teachers and social workers to write curricula related to behavior.
“As a special education resource teacher, I know first hand the impact Patti has on, not only the District 58 staff, but also our students,” said Sandi Hudecek, a Highland resource teacher and one of the teachers who nominated Mrs. Cepeda. “Patti is patient and available to everyone. I have seen countless times, Patti will walk into a meeting with other special education staff and a line forms at her table. People wait to see and to talk to Patti even if just to get some advice or to give her an update on how things are going. Remarkably, Patti sits and speaks to everyone. She shows how much she cares with her words and her actions.”
Mrs. Cepeda is also responsible for keeping the District’s nearly 50 outplaced students connected with the District 58 community, as well as ensuring that their needs are being met.
The Teacher of the Year designation is especially meaningful, as Mrs. Cepeda plans to retire this June.
“It’s a busy job, but I like all the collaboration opportunities and enjoy the camaraderie,” Mrs. Cepeda said. “It’s been a really good career here.”