At Bennie, we have six highly-qualified Instructional Aides who service students within the classrooms under the teachers’ direction. They work with students 1:1 and in small groups to help accelerate their academic skills. Although they are part of different state and federally funded Academic Support Programs, they all have the goal of helping students reach grade level benchmarks while using best practices and research-based methods.

Mrs. Natalie Knaggs 31a  Mrs. Knaggs previously owned and operated a Gymboree and was also a Montessori teacher. She has two children in college and a daughter who is in high school. Mrs. Knaggs loves animals and has a horse that her daughter shows nationally. She also has a chocolate lab puppy named Reggie. She works primarily with our youngest Bobcats.

 

Mrs. Patty Porter (Title I)  Mrs. Porter works with both our lower and upper elementary students. Patty has three children who have attended Allen Park Public Schools. Patty especially enjoys helping students with math concepts. She and her husband are very involved with the Robotics Team.

 

Mrs. Tiffani Martin – 31a  Tiffani Martin left her career in human resources to spend more time with her family and to work with children because she finds that fulfilling. Tiffani has three children who attend Allen Park Schools. She also was a lunch aide at Bennie before becoming an Instructional Aide. Mrs. Martin works mainly with second grade students. Her family is involved with Bulldogs and she is active in Bennie’s PTA.

Ms. Sarah Kaminski  – 31a  Sarah Kaminski has been taking classes through Wayne State and Baker College. Sarah is working towards a degree and a career in education. She has worked as both a lunch aide and instructional aide at Bennie and often subs, as well. She also loves spending time with her dog Pecan when she isn’t at Bennie.

Mrs. Wendy Cosgrove  31a aide – Mrs. Cosgrove has had a lot of experience working in Preschool and as a Bennie lunch aide. She was a long-term sub in the Academic Support Program in the spring and fall of 2018 before being hired in a permanent Instructional Aide position. Mrs. Cosgrove has a son who is a Bennie Bobcat and another son who is at the Middle School this year. She works primarily with first graders. She also is active in Bennie’s PTA and makes our hallways beautiful with her outstanding Bulletin Board displays.

Mrs. Keri Krakow 35a Instructional Aide

Mrs. Krakow formerly worked as a Bennie Lunch Aide. She has two children who attend Allen Park Schools. One is a Bennie Bobcat now. Mrs. Krakow is very active in PTA. She works primarily with third graders and lower el children. Keri is a huge Harry Potter fan. She joined our Academic Support Team in January 2019.