My name is Massiel Perez I have a four-year-old son that attends Whitter Elementary school. Before my son started school in person in the fall of 2021, I experienced an immense amount of fluctuating emotions. My son Mohamed was non-verbal, experienced occasional emotional outbursts, and it was his first time going to school. I was unsure of how he and the teachers would receive each other. In June of 2020 he was given a provisional diagnosis of autism. That same year he began virtual classes, but it wasn’t as effective as I’d like. I was still very worried on how things would be once in person classes became available again. The following year he began in person classes with Ms. Khadijah Adiodum and it was the smoothest transition I could’ve asked for. Before the first day of school Ms.K (as we call her ) extended an invite to her class room. Visiting the classroom before the first day of school, gave us a chance to meet Ms. K in person. It also gave Mohamed the chance to see and get a feel of the environment he would be in. After our visit with Ms. K at the school I felt very positive about his first day, and I knew that Ms. K would be the perfect teacher for my son. Ms. K is very special to me and my son because she has been a key component in my son’s growth over the course of the school year. Before my son started school in person his vocabulary was very limited. He barely knew his colors and numbers. My son vocabulary has improved so much he surprises me every day with new words, and he is able to identify many objects. My son walks around identifying all the colors he sees in sight. He is now able to express himself a bit more which has help calm his emotional outbursts. Ms. K is always available to address any questions or concerns. Ms. K goes above and beyond for my son and her students. In the beginning of the school year, I experienced a hiccup at the school with my son. There was an incident in after care where my son’s emotional outbursts got the best of him. I expressed to Ms. K that I was thinking of withdrawing Mohamed out of after care, and she quickly came up with a solution. Ms. K expressed to me how she feels aftercare is beneficial for Mohamed’s growth. As he can interact with other students who vocabulary is more advance and how it can expand his social skills. She introduced me to extend day where Mohamed will stay in her class until 4:30pm and then head to aftercare until my arrival. Mohamed was officially diagnosed with autism in the fall of 2021.Ms. K doesn’t place my son in a bubble based on his Autism diagnosis. She sees so much potential in my son, and she is helping him achieve all his goals on His IEP. In preparation for upcoming school year Ms. K has been informing me of the next steps for my son educational growth. She has provided different options she feels will be the most beneficial form him. I am very grateful to have Ms. K as Mohamed Pre-k4 teacher. She has help him in so many ways. Mohamed has improved so much, and we can all see the difference in his vocabulary, behavior, and interactions with others. Whittier is an amazing school with an awesome staff. We look forward to next school year. This school year has exceeded my expectations and its all thanks to Ms. K. Her hard work and dedication for my son and his classmates does not go unnoticed. She is genuinely a very loving and caring teacher who is making a big impact in my sons’ life. It’s not easy being a teacher and Ms. K does with effortlessly.