MURRAY — Faye Tuft began her career as a teaching assistant at the age of 60 — and kept at it for 23 years.

Teachers, administrators and students at Horizon Elementary School say Tuft, who retired this month from her position as a Title 1 aide, has a knack for catching students who might otherwise fall through the cracks.

"She is a gem and she is gifted in helping kids," said principal Karen Johnson, who nominated Tuft for Classified Employee of the Year. "She started when most of us are thinking, 'Let's retire.' "

Tuft said she started working as a teaching assistant because she wanted to keep busy. She kept going because she never tired of the job.

"Even walking into the school building after the fall — it just smells good in there. This is where I belong," she said. "There's nothing I enjoy more than being with students."

Johnson said Tuft showed up each day immaculately dressed in heels and matching jewelry, something that made an impression on her students. She also came ready to enlighten.

Tuft says she has a system for teaching kids, which includes the step of having students teach to her the concepts they have learned.

"I'd say, 'Today you're going to be the teacher and I'm going to be the student,' " Tuft said. "It seemed to stay with them."

She wants students to taste success, even if it means starting them off with simple problems. She also thinks it's important for students to receive kudos for their work.

"Give them lots of praise as you're working with them," she said. "They feel good about what they're doing."

Tuft's former students say her kind manner and one-on-one help did them a world of good.

"She would explain it," said fifth-grader Deana Neff. "She raised my math grade to an A-plus."

"She helped me read a lot faster and get through it better," said fifth-grader Philip Sandgren.

"She always did my ABCs for me," said kindergartner Tiffani Johnson. "I gave her a present."

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These kids are not alone.

Johnson said every student who worked with Tuft made academic growth through encouragement, one-on-one attention and love.

"She never made kids feel like they weren't smart," she said. "She really believes that every child can learn. . . . She has a gift."


E-mail: ehayes@desnews.com

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