By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Dee Szalejko has long been the champion for underdog students at Bowling Green High School. She believed in them – and they learned to believe in themselves.
After three decades working as an intervention specialist, where she helped high school “special education” students meet and exceed their goals, Szalejko has retired. She and her husband, Jim – who started the “Dear Santa” program in Bowling Green – are moving to Cincinnati, for his new job.
She leaves behind many success stories.
“I just always wanted my kids to meet their fullest potential,” she said.
She also leaves behind relationships with students that did not end when they graduated. Szalejko loved her students – and they loved her back.
Two weeks ago, she visited with a former student in Utica, who wanted Szalejko to see her new baby. And she frequently gets requests from former students still living in Bowling Green.
“Let’s go to breakfast,” they will say.
It’s talking about these relationships that leads Szalejko’s eyes to leak.
“I loved what I did,” she said, apologizing for the tears.
Since many “special education” students now learn in the least restrictive environments and attend general education classes, Szalejko saw her role as helping her students succeed in classes with other students.
“We’ve become more of co-teachers,” she said of school intervention specialists. “It has been fabulous. The teachers I got to work with were incredible.”
Szalejko took it upon herself to help students develop abilities beyond their disabilities.
She didn’t let the labels of dyslexia, the autism spectrum, or attention deficit disorders, define the students. Two of her students went on to earn their doctorate degrees, one is a teacher, and several work in the skilled trades.
“They’ve done very well,” she said. “They still have that strong desire to learn and be successful.”
Szalejko chose to work at the high school level.
“That’s the age group I really love working with,” she said. “I could relate to them. I could watch them grow.”
Though many high school students set their sights on college, Szalejko made sure her students knew there were other options.
One of the greatest changes she saw in her students attending general education classes was the boost in their self-confidence.
“They grew in self-advocacy,” and were able to ask for accommodations they needed in college, in apprenticeships, or workplaces. “That’s huge.”
Each year, Szalejko had a caseload of 15 to 22 students.
“I ran my room like – ‘if you need some help, come and see me,’” she said. “The kids came to know that was available.”
“It was very rewarding. I loved every minute,” she said.
As Dee and Jim Szalejko depart Bowling Green, they not only leave an empty place in her classroom, but also with a community Christmas program. The couple founded the “Dear Santa” program that adopts families who need help with the holidays. The program will continue in Bowling Green, Dee assured.
She has plans to take the Dear Santa program south with her.
“My hope is to start another one there,” possibly for the inmates at the state penitentiary in Lebanon.
“Prisons are filled with good people who made bad decisions,” – who need to put presents under the Christmas tree for their children, Szalejko said.
She is also toying with the idea of helping inmates get their GEDs while in prison.
And she is very much looking forward to spending time with her 6-month-old grandson who lives down in the Cincinnati area.
“I will get to be a grandma on a regular basis,” she said.
Scruci recognized Szalejko at the last school board meeting – mentioning her contributions to the school district and the community.
“We want to thank her and wish her well in retirement,” Scruci said. Her work as an intervention specialist and with the Dear Santa program, “leaves big shoes to fill,” he said.
School psychologist Jillian Powell suggested that Szalejko was worthy of a story because of her work at school and in the community.
“She had a deep impact on the staff, students and the overall BG Community,” Powell wrote.
When Powell gave high school staff an opportunity to talk about Szalejko’s career, the comments came flooding in. Here is what they had to say:
“Dee always put her students first and supported them inside and outside the classroom. She wore her heart on her sleeve and the students knew she cared about them.” – Beth Vaughn, BGHS Choir Director
“Dee always believes the best in people and will do anything to help people to succeed. I know her compassion and kindness have left a mark on many students and teachers.” – Matt McEwen, BGHS History Teacher
“She was willing to go above and beyond for her students, coming in quite often on her own time to help students.” – Bob Schultz, BGHS Teacher
“I value how excited and supportive Dee was of her students when they succeeded in Public Speaking (I venture to say they all did!) and of those kids who got involved in Drama Club. I always appreciated the care and concern and dedication she gave toward her students.” – JoBeth Gonzalez, Drama Teacher
“Dee had the students’ needs in mind at all times. She spent countless hours working with students to help them be successful in the classroom. I loved working with her, and she will be greatly missed by students and staff alike.” – Erika Slough, BGHS ELA Teacher
“Dee did a lot of things, but what truly made her special was the genuine care she showed for all her students. Students that worked with her inevitably knew that she was personally invested in their success and wellbeing and would always go the extra mile to see them realize that. She will definitely be missed here as she embarks on the next stage of her life’s journey!” – Doug Niekamp, BGHS School Counselor
“I think that Dee really cared about her students. I think that they felt this in a deep way and gave it right back to her. In short, Dee’s students loved her.” – Tom Ross, BGHS ELA Teacher
“Dee always had the students’ best interest in mind and did whatever was necessary to ensure the student was able and equipped to succeed. Whether as an Intervention Specialist or as the creator of the Dear Santa Society, Dee worked to provide support and encouragement to students and their families Dee seems to truly understand the importance of community in raising a healthy and happy child.” – Mary Kern, BGHS French Teacher
“Dee was a constant champion for her students and understood better than anyone that success looks different for each and every student. She is a beautiful person inside and out, a great neighbor and will be greatly missed by all of us!” – Stephanie Conway, BGHS Agricultural Education Instructor/ FFA Advisor
“Dee was able to build special relationships with her students who truly trusted her with their education and their social/emotional needs. She was also a deeply trusted colleague who helped train several teachers who relied on her expertise to help reach students. Dee also loved to keep us laughing and her infectious laugh will be truly missed.” – Sarah Caserta, BGHS ELA Teacher
“Dee was an incredibly caring teacher who was a champion for the underdog students.” – Joe Hudok, BGHS History Teacher
“Dee takes the time to truly get to know students and their families, and what families are struggling with. She works tirelessly to meet students where they are academically and meet those needs, but also finds ways to help students with needs at home whenever she can – she has the biggest heart for our students.” – Maggie Convery, BGHS Math Teacher
“She has been the person that has given so many students in her career the pathway to success. In a conversation with one of her former students during a time he was in class with me, he told me, “Mrs. Szalejko is like my mom. I can go to her and she helps me in every way so I can succeed.” Many of her former students keep in touch with her and keep her in the know of what is happening in their lives. Dee always had a plan for her students and always helped faculty when they needed suggestions in working with her students.” – Karol Kampe, BGHS PE and Health Teacher
