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Vol. 32, No. 6 I N S I D E THE VOICE OF THE DELAWARE STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION Bates and Hoffmann scale heights for good cause We celebrate our social justice heroes Pages 6-7 School Board elections reveal need to investigate "Big Money" Page 9 94 people rappelled 17 stories to raise $125,000 for Special Olympics Delaware K We salute Sandy Meredith, WJBR's Teacher of the Month Page 18 im Bates and Mike Hoffmann, members of the Colonial Paras Assoc., joined 94 other crazy people who rappelled down the T.D. Bank Building in Wilmington in May, and paid to do it. Colonial Teacher Erin Chretien of the Leach School also faced this dizzying challenge. By each raising at least $1,000 for Special Olympics, they got a once- in-a-lifetime chance to do this. With them that day were family, friends and many of their special-needs students from the Colonial School District. Bates works at the Leach School in New Castle, and Hoffmann – who is also the DSEA vice president – is a special needs paraprofessional for the Adult Integration Program at the New Castle School. Rappelling 17 stories nothing like challenges students face every day This fundraising event is tied to their work, of course, since Special Olympics Delaware helps their stu- dents and families directly. "Special Olympics has been an important part all of our lives, especially for our son, Justin," says Bates. "Not only has he developed sports skills, but he has developed independence, confidence and friendships." May/June 2012 Kim Bates has done lots of crazy things for Special Olympics Delaware but none as crazy as this: "I felt that I needed to challenge myself to honor my students and my son, Justin, who are challenged every day." She adds that her students at Leach face many challenges every day. "I felt that I needed to challenge myself to honor our students and my son, Justin." "I truly believe in what Special Olympics does for kids," affirms Mike Hoffmann. "Especially their program for athletics. It's first class." You can't imagine the bene- fit to kids until you see it for your- self, Hoffmann adds. "It's all about working for our kids, our students. Last year our whole class attended this fund-raising event, and I said I'd do it. Kim and I are pledged to do it next year, too." The event, called "Over the Edge," is co-sponsored by TD Bank and Brandywine Realty Trust, and is also supported by Law Enforcement for Special Olympics Delaware and Sheraton Suites - Wilmington. That's Mike Hoffmann on the right, rap- pelling down 17 stories in a successful fund-raising event for Special Olympics Delaware. He works with severely handi- capped students at the New Castle School, some of whom were on hand to see him. To see video and more photos, go to www.sode.org.