By contributing writers Bobbi Sakellariou (’27) and Ryan Bennett (’28)

Kara Azria is the new special education teacher at the Jamesville-DeWitt High School. She worked at the Jamesville-DeWitt Middle School for several years before coming up to the high school. Azria found a love for teaching in special education, and enjoys making a difference and being a part of her students’ lives.

She went to Le Moyne College for her literature major, and then went to Syracuse University to become an English teacher. She started teaching special education in the Syracuse City School District, and worked for OCM BOCES. Then she ended up teaching in the J-D school district. Azria never thought about working in special education, but when she tried, she fell in love with helping her students learn and improve their knowledge.

Mrs. Azria is also a mother of three. Some of her hobbies consist of reading, and swimming. She grew up in the neighborhood of Strathmore here in Syracuse, and still lives there. An interesting fact people may be surprised to learn is that she’s an awful speller for an English teacher.

So far, she says that her time at the high school has been great, and the students have been “extremely welcoming”. She likes seeing the kids she taught in middle school, and working in a different environment. Right now, she is in a new position, so it is all learning for her. She plans on keeping an image where students feel like she’s someone that can help you anytime you need something. “I want them to know that I’m always there for them”.