Joel Stewart Award of Excellence | Helga Hood

Joel Stewart Award of Excellence | Helga Hood

If you spend even a few minutes on campus with Helga Hood, you’ll notice two things right away: she’s always in motion, and she’s always smiling. Whether working one-on-one with a student, helping a coworker, or encouraging a student in the classroom, Helga consistently brings warmth and compassion to every interaction and has spent more than a decade making a lasting difference at Westview. She gives her whole heart to the Westview community, which makes her a worthy recipient of the this year’s Joel Stewart Award of Excellence.

“She is always interacting with the kids in a positive and helpful way,” one colleague wrote. “I hear her coaching students to be independent and giving thoughtful, encouraging feedback.” Others describe her as a team player, a tireless worker, and someone who always shows up with a smile. “She’s dedicated, patient, and constantly thinking of others. Even when she is out sick, she is still asking about her class.”

Helga’s journey to Westview started with her son Max. After homeschooling him through elementary school, she visited Westview, looking for a place where he could thrive. She remembers that first tour clearly. “Max didn’t cover his ears, which he always did in new places. He just led us down the halls, exploring. I honestly asked if the school had special acoustics. It just felt different. It felt right.”

Soon after Max enrolled in 2013, Helga was invited to join the staff. What began as a role in Extended Day turned into full-time instructional support. Over the years, Helga has worked with nearly every grade level on campus. She is currently a beloved instructional assistant in the Kindergarten program.

Special education was never her original plan, but looking back, she says it found her “Even when I was little, I found myself drawn to people in the special needs community. And they were drawn to me. My mom once said, ‘I think they know you care.’”

At Westview, that care is felt by everyone around her. Helga is known for giving her all to the students she supports and for stepping in wherever she’s needed

“She’s always on the move,” one teacher noted. “Always working on something, always thinking ahead, always smiling.”

When asked what she finds most rewarding, Helga says it’s the moments of growth she gets to witness. “That moment when a student realizes they can do something they didn’t think they could. It happens all the time here. It never gets old.”

Still, Helga admits this recognition feels a bit overwhelming. “I like to fly under the radar. This brought tears to my eyes. I just try to do my best for the kids and the school every day. That’s it.”

That humility is exactly what makes Helga such a deserving recipient of this award. She is deeply appreciated by her coworkers, respected by teachers, and most of all, loved by her students.

“She shows us what the spirit of Westview is all about.”

With great appreciation and gratitude, Westview is happy to name Helga Hood as this year's recipient of the Joel Stewart Award of Excellence. The Joel Stewart Award of Excellence is awarded each year to the instructional assistant who exemplifies commitment, care, loyalty, and helpfulness and has a strong work ethic and initiative in supporting teachers and students in ways that go above and beyond.