Special pre-school teacher wins special honor

MILFORD — Lili Vazquez-Aguilar of the Milford Montessori School is being honored by WBRE-TV in their teacher appreciation contest. A profile piece will run on the 6 p.m. news on WBRE on Jan. 7. “She really deserves this award for the wonderful way in which she teaches and respects her students,” said parent Kristin Ehlbeck, who nominated Vazquez-Aguilar. Vazquez-Aguilar is a preschool teacher and part owner of Milford Montessori, at St. Patrick’s Church. “I nominated her for her work with my oldest son Chris, who is now 5 and has high functioning autism,” Ehlbeck said. Chris was asked to leave his first preschool after one day because he wouldn’t stay still. “I took him to Milford Montessori told her everything that could be problematic and she accepted him. He has now been there for a little over a year and I have a different child. He is having conversations with other children and seeking them out. “She has been fostering the learning he likes... such as numbers and the states and even the state capitals. Last December he would not touch a crayon, pencil.... this year he is writing full sentences and even little stories.” Ehlbeck credits it all to Vazquez-Aguilar. “She is an amazing teacher who has a gift for handling kids. She is always patient and kind to each and every child. We all love her dearly,” she concluded.