Joel Stewart | Award of Excellence

Joel Stewart | Award of Excellence

Kenneth Choo

Kind, caring, professional, patient, hardworking, and a positive role model for staff and students alike is a succinct way to summarize the praise given by colleagues when nominating Kenneth Choo as instructional assistant of the year.

It is not uncommon at The Westview School for a Westview parent to transition to a staff member. This was the case for Kenneth when he joined the staff of Westview as an Upper Elementary Instructional Assistant in 2022.

Kenneth shared that it was his wife's idea. Westview was hiring, and Kenneth and his wife had just become permanent residents of the United States. "My wife suggested applying to Westview for a job," said Kenneth, "I thought it was a good idea because, in recent years, I had felt increasingly led to find a role working with children."

Kenneth attended college and graduate school in upstate New York (Rochester), earning a bachelor's degree in economics and continuing to an MBA program concentrating in international business and management information systems.

Kenneth gained some experience volunteering with children, but it was his daughter, Joanna, who helped solidify the idea that a classroom, specifically a special needs classroom, was where he belonged.

It was a good decision for Kenneth and Westview. "What an excellent addition to the Westview family," said one colleague, "Ken works hard and quickly developed rapport with his students and colleagues."

The feeling is mutual. "Every morning when I walk into the buildings," said Kenneth, "I feel inspired, encouraged, and uplifted by seeing the people around me."

Mr. Choo, as the students call him, can often be seen helping students with their school work, engaging in outdoor activities, and creating a comfortable environment for his students to learn. He is kind and always has a warm and positive attitude.

Kenneth loves many aspects of his job at Westview: "Seeing growth and maturity over time in our kids or just being able to witness how adorably cute or funny they can be!"

Working at Westview does present its share of challenges. "When a student is facing a challenge of their own, be it behavioral, social, or academic, and they are not receptive [in the moment] to my advice or assistance," Kenneth said, "It makes me sad when they refuse help because I don't like to see them stuck where they are."

The best part of my job is to truly be of help to the classroom teacher. I'm privileged to work with very experienced teachers, and being able to contribute to what they do for our students is so rewarding to me.

Kenneth admits feeling "happy and a little awkward to have received this award."

"I feel so encouraged and grateful for the vote of confidence and support from the teachers, assistants, and staff who voted for me. It also feels a little strange to be singled out," Kenneth admits. "I see everyone contributing their unique gifts and character to this whole body of the school, every one of which I think is essential."

He had high praise for Westview. "I think Westview does an amazing job of nurturing our students," said Kenneth. "It takes the combined gifts of absolutely everyone involved to do what we do."

The Joel Stewart Award of Excellence is awarded each year to the instructional assistant who exemplifies commitment, care, loyalty, and helpfulness. Westview feels tremendous gratitude for the exemplary service provided to Westview by Kenneth. Westview is delighted to have awarded Kenneth Choo the 2022-2023 Joel Stewart Award of Excellence. Westview feels very fortunate to have such a humble, hardworking staff member supporting our school.