ABERDEEN, S.D. – Throughout her career with the Aberdeen Public School District, Gina Malchow has worked in almost every school in the district.
After 25 years in education, she said the best part of her job is the people.
“At the end of the day, it’s the people that I work with. It’s the students that I have,” said Malchow, who has worked as an ESL Educational Assistant for 15 years.
This week is American Education Week. Nov. 20 is Education Support Professionals Day, a day to show gratitude to the dedicated educational assistants who work at Aberdeen Public Schools—including Malchow.
In her role with the ESL Program at Holgate Middle School, Malchow said it’s amazing to see how much her students grow from where they started—including a sixth grader she’s worked with since kindergarten.
“I have seen his evolution from when he started, not knowing a thing, never being in a school, only being in the country for two weeks and starting in kindergarten, and to see where he has progressed to now is just amazing,” she said. “And that’s what keeps you coming back. The smiles on their faces. They’re appreciative of the help they get. It just makes your day worthwhile.”
For those new to the EA profession, Malchow’s advice is to be flexible and willing to learn.
“After a while you’ll find your flow of how you like to do things, and you’ll get to know the kids and develop that rapport with them, first and foremost, because that is what is the most important. That’s why you’re there,” she said. “And I think if you can do all those things, you’ll really enjoy what you’re doing.”
Malchow said education is basically in her DNA. Her father was a longtime elementary principal here in the school district; her sister works in education in the Minneapolis area; and her daughter, Myah Stolp, is a science teacher at Simmons Middle School.
“Education’s just kind of always been part of what we know,” Malchow said. “It’s not the highest paying job, but it can be the most rewarding, and sometimes in ways that you don’t even notice right away.”
That includes when students you worked with in the past remember you—like some of her current eighth-grade students, who remembered her from their elementary school years.
“That’s what’s the rewarding part about the job—knowing that you’ve made a difference,” Malchow said. “Some days it doesn’t feel like that. But in the long run, to make your imprint on someone that helps them become successful is really what life is about. … Leaving your mark, no matter how big or how small, is what is important.”
About the Aberdeen Public School District
The Aberdeen Public School District provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 4,200 students in grades K-12, with a mission of empowering all students to succeed in a changing world. Our students receive the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their potential in a global community through high expectations of academic achievement; diverse educational opportunities; and community involvement in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at aberdeen.k12.sd.us.