Para-professional Susan Blaska, who worked with autistic and special needs students at Tyrone Area Elementary School, retired in December 2014 after 16 years of service to the Tyrone Area School District.

Blaska says that she enjoyed working with the staff and will miss the children she worked with and the everyday activities and programs of the school.

“[It is] rewarding to watch the children grow and learn hands-on activities,” remarked Blaska.

Some of Blaska’s duties in the Autisitic/Life Skills classroom included helping students travel from the vans to the classrooms in the beginning of the day and back out at the end, aiding students with disabilities participate in activities, and helping teach phonics to students in the class.

“Sue truly cared for the students in the room and did a fabulous job with them,” said special education teacher Carrie Grassi, “I will miss her dedication to the students.”

Blaska is a Tyrone native and a graduate of the Tyrone High School class of 1967. After graduating she attended classes at Altoona General Hospital to continue her education in Lab Technology. Blaska later worked as a phlebotomist at the Tyrone Hospital before taking a part-time position with TAES in 1999 that turned full time in 2000.

Her dedication to her job and her students stood out to those who worked with her closely.

“At the start of the day Sue would help a child with multiple disabilities participate in our morning calendar activities. As the day would  progress and we broke into small teaching groups, Sue would teach phonics to the children in the classroom,” said Grassi.

“Sue was diligent about finding phonics activities to do with the students. She would borrow games from other teachers, ask others for creative ideas and then implement them during her teaching sessions. I could provide instruction and guidance to Sue, but she was always willing to take things to the next level.  Sue truly cared for the students in the room and did a fabulous job with them,” said Grassi.

Blaska’s plans for retirement include finding new hobbies, maybe doing some volunteer work and just enjoying her new found free time. She also plans to spend more time with her five grand-children: Allie, Alexa, Shane, Michael, and Conner.

“She is greatly missed by the students she taught,” said Grassi, “they still ask for her.”

“We will also miss her homemade Christmas candies!” added Grassi.

Blaska would also like to thank the administration for the continued support of her career.