Teacher 'makes magic' in her Arleth classroom Alyssa Garnett recognized for work with special needs kids BY MICHAEL ACKER Staff Writer SAYREVILLE - The halls of Emma L. Arleth School filled with the sounds of a local radio station recently, as a teacherwas being recognized for her work with specialneeds children. The school, located in the Parlin section of town, broadcastedWMGQMagic 98.3 FM over the public address system as radio announcers recognized "Teachers Who Make Magic Happen," including Alyssa Garnett, of Arleth School. Carol Duffy, director of special services in the school district, told the Suburban that she and some of the paraprofessionals from Arleth school nominated Garnett for the award because of her skill at teaching students with special needs. The radio announcement was a surprise for Garnett. "It was very sweet," Duffy said. "It was on the radio Friday [Feb. 8] at 9:15 a.m. and they put it out over the loud speaker. She was totally surprised." "She teaches a class of primary grade students with multiple disabilities," Duffy added. "She just does dynamic things in her classroom." Garnett, 29, lives in Sayreville with her husband, William, her 6-year-old daughter Maura, and her 2-year-old son William. Maura, who is a student at Arleth, brought flowers to hermother as the announcement was made over the public address system. "I was shocked," Garnett said. "It was very exciting." Garnett teaches children with a variety of disabilities in kindergarten through second grade. "Each group is very different," Garnett said. "We do a lot of work in small groups. I'mvery fortunate that I have a lot of help in the classroom, so that I am able to work with one or two at a time." Garnett and the staff members who work with her maintain a positive learning environment for the students, in an effort to encourage the children tomake good choices and not focus on mistakes that they make. "We focus on everything that the kids are doing the right way," she said. Last year, Garnett organized a walking marathon in Point Pleasant for Autism Speaks, an advocacy organization that raises awareness and promotes autism research. She said she is looking forward to holding the event again this year. "My goal was to raise awareness in our community about autism," she said. "It was amazing that somany people came out, and we raised $10,000." Garnett expressed gratitude to four paraprofessionals and a behaviorist who assist her in the classroom. They are Cindy Batko, AnnMarie Manente, Danielle Pinho, Diane Rivera and behavioristDr. LauraKenneally. Batko said she enjoys working in the classroomwithGarnett,withwhomshe has taught for four years. "Alyssa just has a wonderful ability to teach children with special needs," Batko said. "She has patience and she understands all of their individual needs." "She makes every day fun for them," Batko added. "They enjoy every day." Duffy said a banquet will be held in March,whenGarnettwill be honored at the Marriott Hotel in Bridgewater. "Day in and day out, she does whatever she needs to do to reach each and every child in her class," Duffy said. "She finds a way.However she designs her lessons in her classes, she addresses the needs of the children there."