Teacher stresses abilities, self-confidence in students
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

LIFE LESSONS- Rancho Rosal teacher Chris Kimball makes one of 29 laps while student Lucas Gnagy enjoys the ride in the school's fundraising jog-a-thon last month. The pair raised over $100.

Katie Gnagy was impressed with Chris Kimball from the start.

Minutes after her shy son, Lucas, entered the special day class at Rancho Rosal Elementary, Kimball had the kindergartner doubled over with laughter.

Gnagy said that day two years ago was the start of a wonderful relationship that's left Lucas, now 6, with a love for learning.

"From the minute they met, Lucas was just crazy about him," she said of Kimball, a special education teacher with a kindergarten/first-grade class. "I knew this would be a good thing."

"He's funny," said Lucas, with his mother interpreting for him.

Gnagy said humor is the key to reaching her son.

The bright 6-year-old, who has cerebral palsy and delayed speech, said he wants to be a writer or a teacher.

Gnagy gives credit for that to Kimball, who has taught him that physical limitations don't have to get in the way of his dreams.

"I think he's given Lucas the confidence that he could do anything," Gnagy said. "I can't repay (him for) what he's done for Lucas."

Lucas' preschool teacher told the family it was unlikely he would master holding a pencil.

But Kimball put one in his hand the first day of kindergarten and two years later he's writing notes to his parents to steer clear of his room.

Jody Arther has spent more than half of her 11 years as an instructional aide in Kimball's classroom.

She said he knows that each child learns differently, and goes to great lengths to make sure every student understands what he's trying to teach them.

"They have such a sense of pride; he just does so much for their self-esteem," Arther said.

"I love working for him. He makes it fun even for me."

School Principal Sue Sigler, who as a teacher worked for five years with Kimball in the 1990s, said he makes learning an adventure for his students.

"He's almost a miracle worker," Sigler said. "His goal is to get his children at grade level, and he does whatever it takes to do that."

Arther said she agrees. Often kindergartners start in the special day program not knowing the alphabet but leave able to read, write and perform math functions, she said.

Kimball, a special education teacher who has spent nearly his entire 32year career in Pleasant Valley schools, said he's honored to instill an eagerness for learning in his young charges.

"I love being the guy that prepares them for their future years in school," he said.

Lucas leaves Kimball's class today, the last day of school, prepared to enter regular second grade in the fall.

"Without Mr. Kimball, I don't think that he would be mainstreamed this early," Gnagy said.

"He just gave him a really good start."