All D’on Paquette ever wanted to do was teach and she’s spent the last 35 years doing that with Ector County ISD.
Paquette specializes in special education at Carver Early Education Center. A native Odessan, she went to Odessa College and then Angelo State University where she earned a degree in elementary education with a minor in special education.
“Back then, it was called a kindergarten endorsement. They’ve done away with that,” Paquette said.
As a youngster, Paquette said she would try to teach her younger brother. She also babysat a lot and kept the church nursery.
“There was a child at our church with Down syndrome that I would keep in the church nursery, and that’s how I became interested in getting a special ed degree,” Paquette said.
She enjoys being able to connect with families and letting families know that they can make progress.
“It’s just going to look a little different. It’s so rewarding to see the growth in the kids,” Paquette said.
Students keep growing as they get older, but from zero to 8 is when the most growth occurs.
“This is when they’re learning a lot of language, a lot of social skills. Some students in special ed are just learning to walk. Learning to eat solid foods. It just depends on the kid and I really, really like to teach kids how to walk. That’s so fun. That’s so fun and so rewarding to me,” Paquette said.
Although she loves what she does, Paquette said she is retiring after this year.
“We are immensely grateful for Ms. Paquette’s dedication and commitment to education over the years,” Carver Principal Priscilla Aguilar said in an email. “Her impact on countless students’ lives is immeasurable. On behalf of the Carver Early Education staff — we wish you all the happiness and relaxation that retirement brings. Your presence will be greatly missed.”
The work she does is very physical and hands-on.
“There’s no sitting at a desk and working on the computer. That’s all after hours because during day hours it’s very hands-on all the time,” Paquette said.
She has mixed emotions about retiring as this is the only vocation she’s ever had, but she’s excited to see what’s next.
“I don’t know what is out there for me. I’m going to work, but I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m looking into some stuff, but it’s getting physically difficult. I’m too tired when I go home to do anything else,” she said.
Teaching 3-year-olds, Paquette has nine students in the morning and three in the afternoon. The day students turn 3 they can start school so they are always getting new kids — and students with new diagnoses.
“If you have a child who’s been tested and qualifies with an eligibility and they turn 3 in April, they can come that day,” Paquette said. “Our classes are always adding students.”
Special education teachers do everything including working on potty training, talking and all kinds of communication. She teaches some children how to walk. Other children can walk, so they concentrate on talking, building language.
They learn colors, shapes, letters, basic math and writing their names.
“We start patterning at this age. Matching, doing a lot of puzzles, a lot of folder games. We don’t do a lot of paper. But we do a lot of work. It just looks different because we use a lot of manipulatives, so everything is hands-on,” Paquette said.
She added that this helps teachers determine what each student needs.
“You might have 10 students in a room and all 10 of them might need very different things. That’s an easy way to differentiate. Differentiation is the key to early childhood and special ed for sure; for sure because … you’re never going to have a class, ever, where everybody’s on the same level. But here that’s really amplified,” Paquette said.
To be a special education teacher, you have to have an open mind and do the best you can with each challenge.
“I really do like working with children with orthopedic issues. I really do. Some people don’t like that. They’re intimidated by that. They’re afraid they’re going to hurt them. … It can be intimidating. I have really, really enjoyed working with the kids with orthopedic issues,” she added.
There also is equipment involved sometimes, which can also seem frightening.
“But in public school, the way it works is we have related services. We have speech therapists, occupational therapists and physical therapists, and they not only work with the student but they work with the teachers. They will come in, student by student, and help me learn better how to work with that student. That’s really awesome because you learned so much all the time from all those different therapists coming in and doing consultations and watching them work with the student and teaching you how to use the equipment, and then they come back the next week or the next month and see how you’ve progressed. It’s interesting. It keeps you thinking; keeps you on your toes,” Paquette said.
Aguilar described Paquette as a passionate teacher.
“She is enthusiastic and genuinely cares about her students’ learning and growth. Understanding students’ challenges and being empathetic towards their circumstances, Ms. Paquette is able to create a supportive learning environment,” Aguilar said in an email.
Recently Paquette received a Community Statesman Award from the Heritage of Odessa Foundation. Each year, Odessans and former Odessans are celebrated for their service to the community through their professions. Paquette was honored in education.
Along with Carver, Paquette has worked at Lamar Early Education Center, Cavazos Elementary and Noel Elementary.
She not only teaches at ECISD, but also spends time teaching at St. John’s Episcopal Church as a Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher and Youth Group Sponsor as well as a Vestry Member. She has also coached for the Odessa Soccer Association and the YMCA as a Basketball Coach, and an Odessa Girls’ Softball Association Coach. Paquette has received numerous Education Foundation Grants over the past six years and has been named Carver Teacher of the Year twice. In 2019/20, she was named ECISD Elementary Teacher of the Year. She also loves traveling with her daughter, Reagan.
“I was so honored by that. That’s not the kind of recognition that classroom teachers usually get. That’s more administrative, usually. I was very flattered by that and also I was very humbled and happy to represent the classroom teachers. Then after classroom teachers, the fact that I am an early childhood teacher and that I am a special ed teacher kind of made it even more special because some people don’t think of us as real teachers because we’re not out taking STAAR tests,” Paquette said of her recent honor.
