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For the start of the 2024-25 school year, North Colonie Central School District transformed the role of the elementary school Building Assistant to the role of Home-School Coordinator. With one in each elementary building, the Home-School Coordinators have become a main point of contact and serve as a bridge between families and the schools, which in turn has improved communications between the two.
The six Home-School Coordinators consist of Keshia Ramirez at Blue Creek, Shane Duesler at Boght Hills, Lauren Bullock at Forts Ferry, Patrick Robinson at Latham Ridge, Aliya Ramcharran at Loudonville, and Jeremy Casson at Southgate. Each of them brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position and their schools. When asked to describe their role, one common theme emerged from each of the coordinators – no two days are the same.
“Each day is truly different,” said Jeremy Casson of Southgate.
Casson has worked in various roles at Southgate for many years before moving into the role of Home-School Coordinator. His children went to Southgate, making his role in the school even more valuable to him.
“My kids came through here so I had a special connection with it,” said Casson. “They loved it and we’ve had such a positive experience here… It was great to see the district put resources behind the Home-School Coordinator role, recognizing how important that connection is.”
When Fort Ferry’s Lauren Bullock first heard of the Home-School Coordinator role at North Colonie CSD, she saw it as an opportunity to continue the work similar to what she had done with families in her previous role at Albany City School District.
“When home and school are on the same page, a lot of positives will happen for the student,” said Bullock. “I thought it was a great opportunity to build relationships with students and families. Instead of focusing on the academics, you focused on the overall well-being of the students and community.”
Bullock has enjoyed being able to carry her experience as a general and special education teacher at the elementary and middle school levels into her role with North Colonie CSD. She hopes to continue to build trust and support in her building, from teachers, support staff, and her principal to the students and parents. Her goal is to continue to build and strengthen these positive relationships within Forts Ferry.
Boght Hills Home-School Coordinator Shane Duesler has a similar approach and goal with the role in his school. Duesler brings with him an abundance of experience in education, having taught in public and charter schools. He also has experience in the social work field, working with runaway and homeless youth.
“My interest in the position lies in supporting students and families in creating successful educational experiences,” said Duesler. “The most rewarding part of the position, so far, has been building relationships with our students… Within the building, I support a vibrant school culture where students are safe, responsible, and respectful. My overall experience has been very welcoming and supportive from students, staff, and families.”
Relationship building is the groundwork of the role, according to Loudonville Home-School Coordinator Aliya Ramcharran. Prior to starting at North Colonie this year, she worked closely with asylum seekers in the Capital Region.
“As a Home-School Coordinator, I help students and families navigate new environments, while assisting them in accessing essential resources,” said Ramcharran. “It’s all about the gap between home and school, ensuring that every student is supported at home and in the classroom. At the end of the day, it’s incredibly rewarding.”
The Home-School Coordinators often utilize restorative practices, which focus on strengthening relationships between individuals and improving social connections within communities. Building relationships is the cornerstone of their work and has occurred in small, but meaningful ways throughout the school year. To start, the Home-School Coordinators are quick to jump in and assist where they are needed and have even become the face of the school for some families. Home-School Coordinators can often be found welcoming students off the bus at the start of the day, directing traffic, covering classrooms, following up with students, helping with dismissal, and so much more. These tasks are part of the tiered approach that has helped develop a connection with students and families.
Latham Ridge Home-School Coordinator Patrick Robinson has worked for North Colonie for 12 years, starting as an educational aide then becoming a hall monitor at SHS. Robinson has found that his relationships with students have grown since he moved into the role of Home-School Coordinator.
“You just see the change,” said Robinson. “When I first started some of the kids were like ‘Who is he?’ Now it’s ‘Hey Mr. Robinson!’”
Once the relationships are established, students feel more comfortable working with the Home-School Coordinators. This has allowed for the Home-School Coordinators to identify areas where they can best assist. From helping with supporting basic needs to offering assistance during moments of dysregulation, the Home-School Coordinators are available to assist students and teachers with whatever may come up during the day.
“The goal is just to get them back in class if they’re able to and they feel comfortable to,” said Blue Creek Home-School Coordinator Keshia Ramirez. “And if they’re not, give them a space that they can just get out whatever they’re doing because they’re little humans trying to develop and I can’t expect them to be perfect all the time.”
Casson has had a similar approach to identifying what students need and how to offer them support. He sees these moments as an opportunity.
“For the most part it’s just really getting down to the grassroots level and helping the kids’ basic needs first and then building off of that,” said Casson. “We recognize the value of that here and it’s something I try to focus on everyday. It’s something that motivates me, so it’s kind of a win-win.”
Ramirez has worked for the district for six years, starting as an Educational Aide at Shaker High School and then moving into the Home-School Coordinator position. She has also been the head coach for the varsity gymnastics team during her entire tenure with the district. She brings with her a variety of experience that has helped her in her current role, including education and special education training, coaching, a military background, a year in AmeriCorps, and an abundance of volunteer work. She currently leads the backpack program and Blue Creek food pantry, helping students to get their essential needs. The Home-School Coordinator role has allowed her to better identify these needs.
“It’s hard for a kid to learn if they’re hungry,” said Ramirez. “It’s hard to want to go outside to play at recess if they’re cold and they don’t have a jacket. Or if they just need a regulation break.”
Though each of the Coordinators works in a different school and faces different student needs, they are all in constant communication with each other. This communication allows the group to collaborate, share ideas, experiences, and knowledge, while finding new ways to support the students. The support within the group has proven to be an essential part to the success of the role so far.
“When you look from the top down, it’s really just the same message,” said Casson. “The kids first and foremost are the top priority.”
While every day is different and each school has its own set of challenges and successes, as the Home-School Coordinators have settled into their respective roles and the year progressed, another theme emerged for the coordinators — connection.
“We are the connection between school and home,” said Bullock. “We are the liaison between the two to build positive relationships. Any support the families need, we can assist.”