Repensek brings an upbeat new look to TJ’s Multi-Intensive Severe Special Education Program.
Elizabeth Repensek joins the Special Ed. team at TJ. photo by Kevin Fleming
When Elizabeth Repensek looks around, the snow and subfreezing temperatures are a clear reminder, “I don’t think I’m in Miami anymore.”
For those of you who don’t know her already, or haven’t traversed the basement halls, Repensek is one of the new Special Education teachers here at TJ and, from the looks of it, she seems to be fitting in quite well. “It’s clear she’s doing wonderful things with the kids. She’s only been at TJ a short time, let alone Colorado for four months, and she has already integrated herself into the TJ community,” said TJ Administrator Joanne Moreno. The administration, as well the rest of the teachers, agree that Repensek is a breath of fresh air for the TJ Special Ed. Program.
Repensek, who grew up in Florida, came to Denver in September just before the school year started. So what caused the sudden move? “I got a job!” she exclaimed.
After graduating Florida State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and a specialized Master’s focused on teaching kids with autism, Florida put a hold on hiring new teachers. At this point, Repensek was given the “go-ahead” on Denver, by a friend notifying her, “…it’s the place to be.” Upon arriving, she applied to numerous schools and within two days TJ Principal Sandra Just called Repensek to express her interest. The rest is history as TJ now looks ahead to a bright new future with their newest addition.
So what sparked the interest in education? “I’ve always wanted to be an elementary school teacher. I played with chalk constantly when I was little, and that was really the driving force behind my desire to teach.” Much to her dismay, Repensek found the absence of chalkboards in her class quite devastating. “It was a bad day,” she joked.
After receiving her Bachelor’s degree, Repensek was approached with an opportunity to become a research assistant under a professor she respected greatly. The opportunity entailed staying at FSU to receive her Master’s while the university funded the whole thing. It was the perfect chance to fine-tune her skills as she neared graduation and got ready to venture out.
While Repensek may have found her dream job in special education, she certainly held down her fair share of positions along the way. “I did a lot of school related stuff because it was a great way to get funding.” Positions of this nature included being a research assistant for her professor, supervisor of the school gym, helping out with families who have children with autism, and working for a grant program to get teachers experience in a field unlike their own.
Of course she certainly maintained a few odd jobs along the way. These included being counter girl at a chicken place, a summer camp counselor, a waitress at a bed and breakfast, she sold cell phones in high school, and enjoyed selling spring break trips for a travel company.
Here at TJ, Repensek, like the rest of the Multi-Intensive Severe (MIS) Special Education Staff, works hard day-in and day-out to ensure the kids in her class are learning specific values and character traits to help them progress in life. But don’t let the seriousness of the issues faced in the class fool you; Repensek and her kids still know how have fun. “At one point in the day we teach how to dance and have fun in a party environment,” she said. From teaching the kids how to maintain eye contact to just understanding how to follow a task, these educators are teaching invaluable life skills that will certainly bring the kids success both here at TJ and after they graduate.
So what exactly is it that drives Elizabeth Repensek? Besides the little things that count (helping a student understand simple tasks such as dressing) the most rewarding part of the job would have to be seeing these kids in the real world. “Working with the unified kids, walking through the hallways and actively seeing them think, and having other students recognize them and treat them as equals is more rewarding than anything; just being involved in something that’s meaningful,” she said.
“We’re not here to just change, feed, and get through the day; we’re here to make those little things happen, and for me, that’s incredibly rewarding,” said Repensek.
