Joe Fessler is a Para Educator at Irvington Elementary School in North East Portland.  This is what his nominator and sister, Ceil, had to say about him:

My brother works with kids with physical, emotional and physical limitations at Irvington Elementary in North East Portland. He assists their teacher, Christie.  Joe is patient and kind with these kids, something that is very hard to be with children with special needs.  Probably the hardest thing he does is to help them physically.  So many need help in and out of wheelchairs or with their clothing when nature calls or when they are getting ready to leave.  I think the kids really appreciate his sense of humor.  Of course he takes his job responsibilities seriously, but almost always with the funny side well in sight.  When they take field trips, they must be helped on and off public transportation, taught how to pay for their lunch etcetera, and always be accounted for so no one wanders off.  But, it's also his sense of fairness that plays out with all the kids.  He makes sure that each child is involved with each activity to the best of their ability.  He helps their teacher, Christie, with learning their numbers and letters, and helps them to try and remember the plot of the story they just heard or the movie they just watched.  He gently reminds them that they need to treat each other with the respect that all of us deserve.

Congratulations Joe Fessler from K103!