Richard Hancock

Award - December 2021 E2

School: Anthony Middle School
Position: Special Ed Teacher

In my entire 26 years of being an educator, I have not seen a person that relates to students better than Mr. Hancock. Mr. Hancock meets students where they are, even if where they are is not ideal. Mr. Hancock makes each and every person he comes into contact with feel important, valued, seen, and heard. He devotes all of himself to his students to show them how the world is a better place with them in it, despite of other things they have been told, encountered, or experienced. He empowers his students to take educational risks and push further in their education. Other students ask to be in his class and to work with him, which is often unheard of in special education 7th grade. He values each and every student and helps unlock the special gifts they have.

Mr. Hancock goes out of his way to communicate with parents and to help them feel valued as a part of the school. He meets with parents in person and on zoom, whatever they prefer. So often in special education, parents don't feel a part of the school community due to the technicalities and jargon of the IEP process. Mr. Hancock helps parents by talking to them directly and involving the parents in every step of the process, so parents are a part of the community like they should be. Mr. Hancock doesn't judge others or try to make others fit a role. He accepts each parent and family despite what they are or have experienced in their lives.

Mr. Hancock supervises a team of para professionals. He empowers them and treats them like equals in the classroom. His paras have gone on to be educators and to be in other fields directly related to education, This is a true testament to his leadership and mentorship.