A Career of Caring: How Connie Rawlins, Sky View’s 2024 Teacher of the Year, found her calling as a resource teacher
Connie Rawlins, Sky View High School’s 2024 Teacher of the Year, has spent 35 years making a difference in the lives of her students and coworkers. She considers working in special education a life calling, one that began when she was very young.
“My interest in special education started when I was growing up,” Rawlins said. “At that time, students who had special needs, students who struggled, students who were different, they were all removed from schools. We never saw them. It was like they didn’t exist to us. But then I heard about a neighbor whose child lived and died away from them and everyone else, and I just thought, ‘That’s not right.’ I’ve felt a special desire to work with students with disabilities ever since.”
Rawlins' colleagues are inspired by her dedication to her students' growth. “We are so lucky to have Connie,” Sky View teacher Natalie Tueller said. “She is the best.”
Kyliann Erickson, another teacher, echoed the praise. “Connie helps her students get involved,” she said. “She knows that they are going to grow, and she helps them be successful.”
Rawlins connects to her students with profound empathy, which she said begins with putting herself in their shoes.
“I always think how hard it is to reach this age (high school) and think, ‘Gosh, the game of school is so hard for me. Everyone next to me has figured it out. What part of it can’t I figure out?’ That helps me relate to them. They are all such good kids. They really are.”
Another colleague highlighted Rawlins’ natural kindness and drive to help as a profound force at the high school. “Connie is a great mentor,” she said. “She works so hard behind the scenes and spends extra time working at Sky View for the benefit of others.”
Rawlins finds her greatest joy in helping her students succeed, even under challenging circumstances.
“If they could learn one thing from me, it’s that there are no limits to what they can do,” Rawlins said. "I don’t want them to feel limited. I want them to see that they can do more than they ever perceived as possible.”