Judy Domke
Inter-Related Resource Teacher
Stanley Elementary School
Overland Park, Kansas
Email: [email protected]
Stanley Elementary School
Overland Park, Kansas
Email: [email protected]
Judy Domke is the elementary finalist representing Region 3. An inter-related resource teacher at Stanley Elementary School in Overland Park, Judy provides one-on-one and small-group instruction to students who have been unsuccessful with learning in their general education classrooms.
In a letter of recommendation, Manda credits her former teacher with “saving her life, transforming her life, and caring about her life.” When they met, Manda was a special needs student at Stanley Elementary School. She had severe difficulties with reading and writing. When it became clear she had learning disabilities, she was enrolled in Judy’s special education program.
Her life began to change under Judy’s gentle hand, absolute acceptance, and belief that she would succeed. Eventually, she was dually enrolled in the special education program and the enrichment program for gifted students. By the time she left elementary school, Manda had blossomed. She says, “I could read and write. I had learned to persevere. Most importantly, I believed in myself.” She excelled in high school, challenging herself with AP classes and extracurricular activities.
Manda wrote, “Without Judy, I may have been perpetually overlooked as nothing more than a slow student to be dealt with.” Instead, Manda is a chemical engineer who designs power plants. She is also an avid reader. She says, “No other teacher I have ever met cares as profoundly about every student as Judy does.”
In a letter of recommendation, Manda credits her former teacher with “saving her life, transforming her life, and caring about her life.” When they met, Manda was a special needs student at Stanley Elementary School. She had severe difficulties with reading and writing. When it became clear she had learning disabilities, she was enrolled in Judy’s special education program.
Her life began to change under Judy’s gentle hand, absolute acceptance, and belief that she would succeed. Eventually, she was dually enrolled in the special education program and the enrichment program for gifted students. By the time she left elementary school, Manda had blossomed. She says, “I could read and write. I had learned to persevere. Most importantly, I believed in myself.” She excelled in high school, challenging herself with AP classes and extracurricular activities.
Manda wrote, “Without Judy, I may have been perpetually overlooked as nothing more than a slow student to be dealt with.” Instead, Manda is a chemical engineer who designs power plants. She is also an avid reader. She says, “No other teacher I have ever met cares as profoundly about every student as Judy does.”