MacArthur Middle School (MMS) Personal Care Assistant Regine Border has supported students at Lawton Public Schools for 18 years, and said it’s been rewarding seeing the students become successful.
“I may not hear about these kids until five years down the road when they graduate,” Border said, “but it is very rewarding. You can tell that you’ve done something good. You helped them be successful. I love my job and the people I work with. I’m happy!”
She started “in an elementary school as a teacher’s assistant in one classroom” and wanted to see more. She eventually was a school-wide assistant at Whittier Elementary School, and now helps special needs students at MMS. She said anytime she gets interaction with the students is the best part of her day.
“I want the students to become successful adults,” Border said. “I want them to be able to make it in life and not have to depend on somebody like me to handle a situation. If they get into a situation, I want to make sure they know how to handle it.”
She said she enjoys working with the age group she’s with, and that the community she works in is supportive – such as the sixth grade teachers at MMS who let her know when one of her students is just having a bad day.
“Sometimes I don’t get to see them, there are so many,” Border said. “But they usually let me know so I can be there to assist them and hopefully make their day a little better.”
MMS Principal Kelly Mims said Border is one of the most dependable members of the MacArthur staff. She said Border is often calming students and volunteers to cover duties and watch classes as needed.
“She steps in where she sees a need and also as we have need,” Mims said. ”Ms. Border never complains. Her mission is to help us see our students to success … I appreciate her more than I can put into words.”