Patch Sits Down With Sherrye Bounds, Joyce Kilmer Paraprofessional

Each week Education Applauds… will sit down with individuals who contribute to the high standards of education in Mahwah, and ask them five questions to get to know them better.

Sherrye Bounds is one of those individuals. She relocated to Mahwah eleven years ago from Arkansas and immediately found her place in the Mahwah school system where she worked as a paraprofessional at and is now at .

1. What is a paraprofessional and how did you get started as one?

• SB. “A paraprofessional is another term for teacher assistant or aid. When I moved here, I knew I wanted to be in the classroom. I interviewed for two positions and over that summer  a full time position became available. I was  at Betsy Ross for ten years and now I’m at Joyce Kilmer.”

2. You’ve been working with the same child for three years. How do you get matched with a student?

• SB. “We are placed where we best fit. I have been a one on one, where I work only with one student, as I do now. I’ve been a one on three, where I’ve had three students who I helped guide through the school day. I assist the student with everything from understanding their assignments, to knowing when the student is overwhelmed and needs a break.”

3. What is your biggest challenge as a paraprofessional?

• SB. “The biggest challenge is figuring out what is best for my student or group. It’s the process of learning about the student and how to get the best out of him or her. And, moving to a new school this year.”

4. What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you at school?

• SB. "Last year in an assembly, the speaker picked me out of the group and called me on stage. He told me to act like an ape. Then I picked another aid to come on stage and we were acting like all the animals the man mentioned. I also remember the last day of school there was a monsoon. It was dismissal time and we were trying to get the kids out. I was drenched, so I kicked off my shoes and socks. By the time I was done it looked like I’d been in the shower."

5. What’s one thing people may not know about you?

• SB. "I own a restaurant called Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Warwick, New York. It’s named after my nana. We serve real southern food because we are from the south. It’s a family owned restaurant which opened in May. It features recipes from my mother and grandmother as well as from my husband’s family."

Nana's Southern Kitchen is located at 48 Main Street, Warwick, New York. (845) 988-0770. To view menu visit www.nanassouthernkitchen.com