* Local professional artist for 25 years; substitute teacher and teaching artist before becoming a Special Education Teacher for the past 4 years; this is her 2nd year at HPE.

* Experienced in grades Kinder-8th

* As the intermediate Special Education teacher, Mrs. Kennedy works with students with disabilities to feel good about themselves and maximize their potential; helps to sensitize the General Education population to students who are different than them

* Mrs. Kennedy believes HPE is a place where differences and diversity are appreciated; students recognize that everyone has strengths and areas where they may need help; sees opportunities for students to discover how they can learn from and support each other instead of judging others who are not like themselves

* Personality Traits: patient, artistic, present, empathetic, and believes with all her heart that every child can learn

* Favorite Quote: “There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child can do instead of what he cannot do.”-Temple Grandin

* Favorite Children’s Book: Eragon and The Inheritance Cycle–both by Christopher Paolini

Favorite Children’s Movie: “The Lion King”