It takes a team of people to achieve the District’s mission of empowering students to be future ready. As we recognize Educational Support Professionals Day, it’s important to highlight the incredible contributions of Special Education Aides, the dedicated individuals who support both students and teachers, ensuring every child has the support they need to achieve their goals and find success at school. Jodi Gyurasics and Bryce Douglas, two Special Education Aides at Anthony Wayne Local Schools, embody the spirit of care, flexibility, and unwavering commitment that these professionals bring to the classroom every day.
Jodi Gyurasics: A Flexible and Compassionate Approach
Jodi’s path to education wasn’t straightforward—she initially studied sports medicine and dental hygiene before discovering her passion for working with children. “This is where my heart is,” she said. “I’ve always had a soft spot for younger children.”
She has since turned that love for working with children into a nine-year career at Whitehouse Primary School, serving as a Special Education Aide to students in grades K-4, a role she initially took on part-time but quickly grew into a full-time position.
Flexibility is the name of the game in her role, as no two days ever look the same and students’ needs change throughout the year. While she primarily works with the Intervention Specialists, helping with fluency reads across multiple grades, she also works to assist students in small groups when they need practice with a particular subject area or technology.
There are also days that she moves from classroom to classroom, assisting students with different needs. Jodi emphasizes the importance of cooperation and adaptability as a Special Education Aide: “In this job, you have to be really flexible. We rely heavily on our walkie-talkies and are ready to fill in wherever we are needed,” she explains.
Jodi loves the moments when a child’s face lights up with understanding. “I just love seeing their faces when they get something for the first time,” she said. “It’s great seeing when they make connections between what they are learning and something they remember how to do.”
She attributes much of her success to the collaboration with Intervention Specialists and teachers who offer guidance and a wealth of resources available to help her meet the expectations of the students’ learning plan.
“I do love the people here,” she said. “They are so friendly and so caring for the kids and want the best for them. It’s an encouraging environment both for the staff and for the students.”
Jodi said that being compassionate goes a long way in working with children, but she recognizes that balance is the key.
“I feel like I have a bit of a ‘softer approach’ that helps me connect with students, she said. “You need some firmness and routine, but you also need a lot of empathy.”
Bryce Douglas: Connecting from the Heart
Bryce Douglas’s journey to becoming a Special Education Aide is deeply personal. After battling cancer and being unable to continue his training in law enforcement, Douglas found his calling working as an STNA, providing care for children who have disabilities.
“Working with these kids got me; hook, line and sinker to the heart,” he said. “Serving as an STNA in a child’s home, then being able to transition into the school system, working at Woodlane School, sealed the deal for me in wanting to work with kids.”
Bryce, an Anthony Wayne graduate, decided to return to his roots and to work where his own children attend school. Over the past four years, he has helped students at Anthony Wayne Junior High meet their goals both inside and outside of the classroom.
During the school day, he works side-by-side with Intervention Specialist Kaylan Phillips to help support her 7th and 8th grade students’ learning.
“She is an amazing teacher who brings out the best in these kids, her dedication to her students is unmatched ” he said. “When I started, she took me under her wing to share her knowledge. She has an incredible gift and such wisdom for working with students. It’s a blessing to be able to come and work with her every day.”
After school, he heads to the football field where he works with several student-athletes who participate in the sports program.
“Each of these boys have characteristics that don’t always make it easy for them to participate in sports in a traditional sense,” he said. “But they all have incredible gifts that make them an important part of the team, and this gives them the opportunity to shine.”
He credits the boys’ participation in the AW Athletics program to AWHS Football Head Coach Andy Brungard, whose openness to inclusion creates a positive and supportive culture on the team.
“We are a family and are focusing on the African word Ubuntu, which means ‘extending humanity to others,” he said. “It can also mean ‘I am who I am because of the people around me,’ and it’s something that I have taken to heart, because I work with incredible people who have taught me so much.”
Bryce said that helping students learn and develop at this stage of their life comes with both a sense of responsibility and a feeling of accomplishment.
“We have such a short time with them. In 7th grade you feel like you’re just getting to know one another and developing a rhythm, and in 8th grade you have to get them ready to launch into high school,” he said. “It happens fast.”
He said that he wishes more people realized just how much students with disabilities have to offer and can accomplish in the right environment.
“I love each of these kids and their abilities,” he said. “It’s one of the most fulfilling jobs. I truly believe these kids need Coach Douglas…and I need them.”
The Heart of the Classroom
Both Jodi and Bryce share a deep empathy for the students they support, but their work extends beyond academic assistance. They create safe, nurturing environments where children feel heard, understood and capable. Jodi says she is “definitely a helper,” always ready to lend an ear or a hand. Bryce, too, emphasizes the importance of positivity: “It takes so much energy to be angry. It’s so much easier to be happy.”
Special Education Aides play a crucial role in ensuring that every student has the opportunity to learn and grow, no matter what challenges they face. Their work requires flexibility, patience, and above all, a deep compassion for the students they serve. On Educational Support Professionals Day, we celebrate the essential role of employees like Jodi Gyurasics and Bryce Douglas, whose dedication and heart make all the difference in the lives of the children they support.