The edition of staff spotlight for the month of November is on Ms. Tamarra Mapp, an adult support paraeducator at University High School. She was motivated to go into this field because she has a relative who has two learning disabilities, and she did not like when people made fun of other people who are different, and she decided that this is the type of field that she wanted to be in so that she would be able to advocate for people who are different. 

One memorable success story that Ms. Mapp has from working in Hartford Public Schools is that one student she worked with had a lot of anger management issues, but she helped him find the ability to talk out his words, and now if he doesn’t want to talk, he will still listen to adults. She feels that that is a breakthrough because now they don’t have to worry about his safety. 

When she was asked if she had any advice for anyone interested in this field, Ms. Mapp said, “Make sure that you have learned every subject.” She also shared that she is not the best with science, so she said if you are going to work in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – based environment, make sure that you have brushed up your skills in those departments. 

Ms. Mapp earned her associate’s degree from Capital Community College and her bachelor’s degree in sports management from Southern Connecticut State University. Outside of her work, she enjoys hanging out with friends because it helps her balance work; she talks with them about what is going on in life, and she really enjoys being with them.