Halen Boykin-Rudolph, Lead Assistant Teacher

Why did you choose this specific field?

I have always loved kids and wanted to make a difference in young lives. I stuck with autism because I know what it is like to be unable to communicate wants and needs.

What's a day like for you at High Road School?

Develop a basic outline of how the day is going to go. Ensure all materials needed for learning goals are available. Work with teaching assistants to come up with a plan. Teaching/reinforcing the daily plan with students. Preparing daily communication sheets to be sent home.

What do you enjoy most about coming to school every day?

Seeing how excited my students are to see me at the beginning of every day.

Can you give an example of a ‘Little Victory’ you’ve seen a student achieve at High Road School?

Seeing the kids come in and jump right to the schedule or seeing the friendships that grow naturally between them.

What's something important you wish people knew about the staff at High Road School?

Our students are just like students anywhere else in the world; they’re silly, they don’t want to do work, they have all of their own unique interests and things they want to say. The biggest thing we can do for our students is learn how to listen to them to hear who they really are.

Can you describe something special about your team and the school?

I believe my school is unique in that we embrace the individuality of every staff and student here and we do our best to find how to best fit the school to their talents, rather than fitting their talents to the school.