Nydia Gonzales
Head Start Liaison, Samuels Elementary
Collaboration
"It is with pleasure that we nominate Nydia Gonzales, Head Start Liaison, at Samuels Elementary for demonstrating the DPS Shared Core Value of Collaboration. Nydia came to Samuels last January. Her focus at Samuels has been to support our parents, their children and to connect with the existing Head Start teachers at Samuels. From the beginning, Nydia let it be known that although she worked for Head Start, she was available to all families at Samuels.
Nydia has provided clothing, emotional support and assistance to the entire staff and community. For example, Nydia helped a first-grade student find a dry pair of socks and shoes (after the child was playing in the snow before school) from her 'closet' of donated clothing.
Nydia is a problem-solver, innovator and a dynamic member to our school and community. She goes above and beyond with the events that she has brought to our Head Start program. She is great at making relationships with the community businesses surrounding Samuels. She has received toys, clothes, books and shoe donations for the children and families. She just had an amazing party for all of the children and families to receive these wonderful gifts during winter break.
She provides activities to support our school community like setting up photo booths at events. Staff, families and students have taken many memorable photos at these booths. At present, Nydia has tirelessly worked to support various schools who are lacking liaisons. It is hard to share her but we understand that her services are needed at other locations and those schools utilizing her are fortunate to have a hard-working and caring liaison to support them. We know this is a lot of work for her but this also demonstrates the collaborative skills she possesses."
-- ECE/Head Start Staff, Samuels Elementary
