Jody Mahoney is a new staff member this year. She’s a teaching assistant who works with Japhy Myraad, a student in Mrs. Murray’s special education class as a one-on-one aide. She follows Japhy’s schedule throughout the day to help him out and works with Mrs. Murray and the special education students.

What is your average coffee intake?  

Typically one to two cups, on a school day.

What’s your pet peeve in the classroom?

Students who tilt their chairs back onto two legs.

What are your favorite and least favorite trends?

I love that especially in Grand Haven, high schoolers go to the beach. It’s the big hang-out spot and I think that’s really cool. Their music is sometimes horrific! That’s probably my least favorite thing. 

What are you doing when you are out of school?

Running Lily (daughter) to the barn. She is in horses and not driving yet so I am her taxi. If I’m not doing that then I’m normally just getting stuff done. During the week and just in general errands. I also visit some family and friends.  

How long (if at all) have you been teaching? (If yes, any other buildings in the district?)

This will be my first year as a TA. I have volunteered at the elementary schools but I haven’t been a teacher’s assistant.

Where did you go to High School and college?

I graduated from Alma High School and did go to Kalamazoo for a couple of years but then I moved to California. Then I kinda stopped, I did other stuff. I went to travel agent school and became a travel agent. So I didn’t finish [college.]

Have you found something more difficult than you expected transitioning to GHAPS? 

I don’t know if I have an answer for that. I guess all the paperwork. And the computer stuff. It’s a learning curve trying to get it all done. Just learning the process, how things flow and work. 

Have you felt accepted at GHAPS?

Yes. 100%. 

What makes your classroom unique? 

I have a lot of patience. I don’t know if that’s really unique, but I do. 

If you could change one thing about your curriculum, what would it be and why?

I don’t know. Nothing right now. 

What does your planning hour typically look like?

I don’t really have a planning hour, but I meet with Mrs. Murray before and after school to discuss. So we kinda just catch up and chat about the day. Because I am with Japhy all day, then we can recap.