“I love to learn, am supported in my professional efforts by an amazing team, and am honored to teach a variety of incredible students with special education related needs at Sand Creek Elementary.”

Krystyne Hable-Lafean is an exemplary model and a team leader for her colleagues in the special education department at Sand Creek Elementary, according to co-worker Rachel Berndt, who nominated her. 

“She organizes well-rounded student programming, collaborates well with outside resources, and engages [caregivers] throughout the entire process,” Berndt said of Hable-Lafean. “Krystyne is an effective communicator, team player, and an organized teacher.”

Berndt said Hable-Lafean researches mental health, implements research-based best practices, and shares the latest resources with parents and Individualized Education Program (IEP) team members to help promote student progress. She goes the extra mile by providing daily behavior drop-in support for students in need, and she considers the whole child when creating individualized student programming.

Hable-Lafean also stands out as a team member at the school, coordinating meetings and training sessions between outside providers and school staff, initiating communication within her department on the Q-Comp process, and often representing her department during building-based and districtwide meetings. 

“Krystyne is well-read, well-spoken, and a fantastic addition to the Sand Creek special education team,” she said. 

The 2022 Above & Beyond Awards ceremony to honor Hable-Lafean and 13 other exceptional employees will take place April 13 at the Educational Service Center (ESC).