Zach Colbert is patrolling the classroom when he sees a student in a gloomy mood. His intuition tells him to say something, but how does he?
He may be new, but when Colbert joined Triton he knew that one quality stood above the rest when it comes to being a part of a high school staff board.
¨You have to be dedicated,¨ he said.
Graduating from Pentucket High, Colbert got his degree in journalism throughout his college career at the University of Maine. The inspiration to pursue a career in the subject came out of his respect for one of his own writing teachers.
¨I had a really amazing journalism teacher as a senior,¨ said Colbert.
He further explained that these connections were something he cherished in and out of the classroom, and is a feeling he aspires to replicate among us students here in Triton. The way he builds these connections is through his position of an Instructional Assistant.
He likes the position as it offers more freedom than a teacher and allows him to specialize in what he enjoys most; building connections with the kids and having an impact on their days. Whether it be offering help on an assignment or giving encouragement through words, Colbert wants to be to these students what his teachers also were to him. With such a passionate attitude, his integration into the Triton family came with praise, as his co-workers noted about his perceptiveness and will to learn and adapt.
“Zach has a great attitude! He’s flexible and always eager to help anyone who needs it.”
Said Mrs. Knowles. Knowles is a special education teacher and a mentor figure in Zach’s integration here at Triton. She knows all about what it means to be a constructive figure in a student’s life, and when asked about what qualities Colbert brings to the classroom, she had nothing but good things to say.
¨He was very attentive as well, learning about his job responsibilities and watching teacher-student interactions.¨ Said Knowles.
For those of our readers paying close attention, you’ve probably made the connection between Zach Colbert and the English departments very own Joseph Colbert’s shared last names. This comes most likely as a shock to none that the two are related, and now work under the same roof. Working with your parents professionally sounds like nightmare fuel for most, but in the case of the Colberts, integration and operation couldn’t have worked smoother.
“…I have always thought that Zach should be working with kids, so I encouraged him to apply and he did. The rest of it was all him. “ Said Joseph.
Although they work in the same building and carpool each morning, the father and son don’t see all that much of each other throughout the day. This comes as a product of the two having differing roles and responsibilities throughout the school day. Even though he can’t see what he’s up to, Joseph has full confidence in his son’s capabilities because as his father, Joseph knows all about Zach and exactly why he would be perfect for the job.
¨Zach’s best quality as a worker is that he cares and wants to do a good job.¨ said Joseph.
Being an IA is tough work but with this healthy crew of support, Zach will be one of us in no time at all.
