Did you know? We’re in the midst of Teacher Appreciation Week, a week dedicated to celebrating teachers and their commitment to the students they teach. Here at Kennedy Krieger, we believe our teachers are so important, they deserve more than just one week of recognition. That’s why we’re proud to kick off our “Teacher Appreciation Month” series, during which we’ll be highlighting three Kennedy Krieger teachers who go above and beyond, every day.
Today, we introduce you to Rachel Rosenblatt, a Baltimore City Public Schools educator who works as a contractor with Kennedy Krieger. Rachel teaches children who are receiving inpatient services at the Institute. She helps them stay up-to-date with their studies and prepares them for a smoother transition back to their home school after being discharged from the hospital.
Rachel, who hails from Baltimore, developed an interest in teaching at an early age, as both of her parents were successful educators who inspired her to pursue a similar career path. Rachel started her teaching career in Brooklyn, New York, where she taught in a private special education school. Rachel eventually returned to Baltimore, where she taught in self-contained classrooms and received a dual certification in regular and special education. In 1991, Rachel began teaching at Kennedy Krieger as part of the Baltimore City Home and Hospital Program.
Rachel strives to provide individualized instruction to the students she teaches, who vary in age, abilities, and disabilities. To best support each student, Rachel contacts each child’s home school for information regarding their IEP (individualized education program), as well as each child’s parents or guardians to learn more about their education needs.
In addition to meeting her students’ academic needs, Rachel also tries to make learning fun, and a reprieve from the busy, and often stressful, hospital environment. Rachel describes her classroom in the hospital as her “happy place”—it’s bright and colorful, and full of books, toys, and other materials that motivate her students to want to come to school.
When asked what her proudest accomplishment is, Rachel says it’s witnessing her students regain self-confidence, noting the pride she feels whenever she sees her students’ smiles and happiness in the classroom.
“Teaching is truly a work of heart for me,” Rachel says.
Thank you, Rachel, for bringing so much heart to all that you do. We are so proud to have you on the Kennedy Krieger team!
