by Jen Myers

(Each month, UniCare, InsideLowell and Lowell Public Schools honor a Lowell teacher for their exemplary work in the classroom and for going the extra mile to serve as a positive influence in the lives of their students)

It is 10:30 a.m. on a Thursday and Holly Doherty is introducing her students to a friend who needs a little help putting himself together – Mr. Potato Head.

She sits with a student and they look at a sheet of options together – so many choices – hats, eyes, arms, shoes – what to choose?

This is a lesson in decision making, communication, and teamwork that may seem simple, but for these students it is essential.

Ms. Doherty teaches preschoolers with Autism at the Pyne Arts Magnet School. In this pivotal role, she works every day to build their confidence and help them reach their highest potential, preparing them for Kindergarten and beyond.

“I love watching my students experience school for the first time and seeing them explore a new environment. I also love watching my students learn to communicate and use their functional communication skills,” she said. “The biggest challenge is the huge range of students we have in our classroom.  At times, it can get overwhelming because you feel like you can never do enough to meet all the different needs of each student.”

Doherty is quick to give credit and appreciation to the team of paraprofessionals – Liz Rodriguez, Suzane Thomas, and Amelie Lim – in her classroom, who provide the support needed to ensure each student is given the attention they need.

“These three ladies are truly the best co-teachers I could ever ask for,” Doherty said. “They truly are the hardest working people in the school.”

Holly Doherty grew up in Stoneham, graduating from Austin Prep and earning a bachelor’s degree in communications from Framingham State.

Following an internship her senior year of college, she decided communications was not the field she wanted to pursue. She was offered a paraprofessional job working with children with Autism and realized her passion for educating children. She earned her master’s degree in special education from American International College.

Although we understand more about Autism than we did in the past, Doherty said it is important for people to realize how wide ranging the spectrum is and the wide range of abilities those diagnosed with Autism possess.

“It is important for the community to know just because a child is nonverbal does not mean they can’t understand, even if it looks like they are not listening,” she said.

In her career in Lowell Public Schools, she has taught at the Bartlett Community Partnership School, Cardinal O’Connell Early Learning Center, and the Pyne Arts Magnet School.

One person who is thrilled that Doherty is at the Pyne is Interim Principal Lori Lang.

“Holly goes above and beyond to support her young students, many of whom have never attended school before or who are nonverbal. Often, the first teacher in the building each morning, Holly can be found wiping down slides for her students to play, prepping her classroom with sensory activities needed for the day or carrying in the snacks she has purchased at the local supermarket for her children,” said Lang. “Holly has a very sweet calm personality which comforts not only her students but also the parents of her students.”

Doherty understands that the first day of preschool is often more traumatic for the parents/guardians than it is for the kids, especially for parents whose children are nonverbal, so she does things to ease their concerns.

“I use Class Dojo (a parent portal software) and try to post a lot of pictures the first couple of weeks, so parents can see their child enjoying school,” she said. “I think the most important thing we do to help the students feel comfortable is to meet them at their level. If a child needs a transition toy to help them, we provide it; if a child needs extra time to explore the classroom before sitting at circle time, we allow it; if a child needs more in the gross motor room, it is given to them. It is extremely important students feel safe and comfortable in the classroom before you can expect them to be ready to learn.”

In addition to teaching the little kids, Doherty is also a mentor for her colleagues, taking the time to support and model teaching strategies for two of her peers, which Lang said “has resulted in significant progress for students and staff.”

“One important thing I learned over the years is not to be too hard on yourself when things do not go as you plan; all you can do is adjust and learn from things,” said Doherty. “I always say no one is the perfect teacher, but if you know you are trying your best to help all your students succeed that is all anyone can ask for. Another thing I learned is not to be afraid to ask for help if you feel as though you tried everything in your bag of tricks. Often times a fresh set of eyes helps see things you are missing.”

Ms. Doherty’s class is a place where these little first-time students learn how to go to school, follow a routine, play well with others, build functional communication skills, and are prepared to be life-long learners. It doesn’t always come easy, but she has faith in every kid that comes through the door of Room 15 and her hope for them is when they are ready to head on to Kindergarten they have faith in their own abilities as well.

“I would love my students to leave my classroom knowing school is a fun and safe place to learn and they are accepted here,” she said.

All About Ms. Doherty
Hobbies: Traveling ( love Disney World and going to the beach), going to the movies
Dream Vacation: Fiji
Favorite song to sing in the car: Cruel Summer (Taylor Swift)
Favorite meal: Blackened chicken fajitas from Border Cafe
Favorite snack: Popcorn
Favorite Movie: I do not have a favorite movie but here are a few of my top movies, The Departed, Beaches, and Toy Story
Favorite Book: I do not have favorite book, but I love Harry Potter and Dr. Seuss’ Oh the Places You’ll Go
Favorite TV Show: Friends
Favorite Fictional Character: Sirius Black