Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) selected Samantha Lopez as the 2024 School-related Employee of the Year for her work with special needs students.
Lopez started in a food service career, but she shifted after a teacher meeting about her son, who is on the autism spectrum. School staff encouraged Lopez to work with Exceptional Student Education (ESE) students, ACPS said in a release about Lopez.
After finishing her state certificate, Lopez began her role as a one-on-one ESE paraprofessional. Currently, she works at Rawlings Elementary with fifth grader Zyler Mason, her student for the past four years.
“They know I’m protective of him and that I treat him as one of my own,” Lopez said about Mason’s family. “They trust me to make sure that he is safe, loved and cherished.”
Lopez, who goes by ‘Auntie Sam,’ prepares Mason’s medications, handles meals through his feeding tube and works with his teachers to meet goals. She also ensures his participation in field trips, school carnivals and safety patrol.
“It’s in my soul,” Lopez said in a release. “I believe I was put in this community for a reason, to advocate for special needs children, to encourage people to be more welcoming. I want all kids to feel loved.”
ACPS will celebrate Lopez on April 30 at 4:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church.
Lopez is one of 45 honorees for the school district’s 2024 recognition program.