Marshfield, Mo – Arwen Pratt has been working as a Paraprofessional in the special ed department for four years, at Marshfield High School. While doing so, she has managed to make differences in these students’ lives.

Not only has Pratt made a difference in their lives, but these students have also made an impact in hers. She works with these students Monday through Friday, from around 7:45 am to 3:30pm. Just like every other teacher, she gets the breaks off and she gets to have time with her family during them.

“Obviously I don’t get to see them near as much as I did when they were here,” Pratt said after being asked about keeping in touch with the students, “but yeah we try to stay in contact with them and keep up with their busy lives and seeing what they’re doing.”

Pratt wants to make sure, that no matter where she is at or what she is doing, that she is making a difference in people’s lives. No matter if it is a student or a coworker. She wants to always just know that she is doing some good to help others and making a difference.

“Some of us have our own little inside jokes that we joke about. And I look forward to hearing them everyday to brighten my day.” Pratt said.

Everyday she connects with these kids and makes friendships with them. Some she even might connect to more than others, not that she seeks them out over others, but it happens because of the things they have done, or their hearts. She sees these students show kindness through everything, every single day. No matter who it is or what they are doing, these students are always showing their big hearts. Which she personally gets to watch as she helps them grow as individuals daily.

“I mean, I love what I do. The kids I work with honestly make more of a difference in my life than I probably ever will in theirs.” Pratt said. “They have no idea how much they impact me and humble me and just completely level me. And I just think that we all need to really put ourselves in others shoes more often. It can do wonders. I love it and I love these kids.”

Emilee: Why do you do what you do ?

Arwen Pratt: I feel, personally that I do what I do, because I’m where God wants me to be. And so while I’m here, the biggest part of that is to make a difference in kids’ lives. Even coworkers lives. I feel like that is something I want to make sure I do wherever I’m at in life. I think that’s so important.

Emilee: Do you make special connections with the kids you work with?

Pratt: Absolutely. I mean I make connections with them on a daily basis and then I make long lasting connections. There’s some where we have our own sense of humor or like similar interests. Some tend to really stand out and they show love in all different ways. In the incredible things they do, they’re just always showing love and kindness to others. That just really makes a difference in my heart and impacts me for sure.