Kelly Bindert, Lois E. Bird School

We were told this week's Golden Apple Award winner doesn't like surprises. So we weren't sure what to expect when we honored Kelly Bindert at the Lois E. Bird School in East Rochester.

Kelly Bindert has been a Special Education Teacher for 20-years. Most here at Monroe Number One BOCES. Principal Cheryl Bamford says Kelly is very friendly and approachable. That is unless you're a TV Reporter sneaking in to deliver a Golden Apple Award. Like all teachers, Kelly likes control over her classroom. She was stunned when we showed up. She told us "This is just not something I like. Surprises."

Kelly Bindert is not a teacher who toots her own horn. She was nominated by Autism Consultant Tricia Polchowski. "Kelly is an amazing teacher. She has some of the most difficult children and she makes it look easy."

Mrs. Bindert expects a lot from her students. She admits she raises the bar high. "Because I hate to give up on a kid and say that they can't just because they have a label or are in a certain position."

Cheryl says Kelly has a talent for discovering how kids learn. "She does have an innate ability to work with children and work at all their individual strengths and build upon those strengths."

Adds Tricia "She is able to identify very quickly, this child needs this, this child needs this and make those decisions split second, during a lesson during an activity. So seamlessly that you don't know she's made that thought."

"I have no tricks up my sleeve," says Kelly. "I just look at them, figure out what they need and then I do it the best I can."

Kelly Bindert is a News 8 Golden Apple Award Winner. You can read the letter we received nominating her below.



Dear Channel 8,

   Kelly has worked at Monroe #1 BOCES for 19 years, most recently with children with autism and developmental disabilities. In those 19 years the students presented her with a wide range of abilities and challenges.
   Mrs. Bindert is known to set the bar high for her students. She pushes her students to achieve as much as they can, while becoming as independent as they can. Kelly is able to that by getting to know the ins and outs of every child she works with. She frequently knows her children better than anyone who has worked with them. She has a deep passion for the children she teaches and the families that she works with.
   Kelly is well known to not take no for an answer when a challenge is put to her children. She simply does what Kelly does best, looks at the child and jumps right in. Kelly always has a goal for each of her students. Each student needs to as independent as they can be.
   She also works hard for her students to be able to return to their home school districts when they are ready. Kelly exemplifies the qualities that our unique children need. Someone who will help them to achieve all that they can.


Sincerely,

Tricia Polchowski
Autism Specialist
Bird/Morgan Campus Monroe No.1 BOCES