In every school community, there are people whose quiet leadership makes an extraordinary difference. For CSEA’s Danbury Paraeducators Chapter, that leader is Chapter President Missy Cole—a dedicated paraeducator whose compassion, creativity, and commitment to students have transformed support for some of the district’s most vulnerable young people.

This week, Missy’s work was highlighted during a visit to Shelley’s Shelves, the DHS Food Pantry she has helped build, organize, and sustain. What began as an effort to ensure that no student goes hungry has grown into a remarkable community resource—one that now provides care packages to 75 students every single week. These packages aren’t just bags of groceries. They include personal care items, snacks, ingredients for full meals, and the kind of thoughtful touches that show students someone is looking out for them.

Missy’s leadership has been the driving force behind it all. She has coordinated donations, brought in partners, organized volunteers, and identified needs that too often go unseen. In the process, she has filled a gap that many students quietly struggle with: food insecurity and lack of basic essentials.

What makes this work so special is not just the logistics—it’s Missy’s heart. She shows up for kids in ways that cannot be measured on any spreadsheet or budget line. Her compassion reminds us that paraeducators are more than classroom support staff; they are mentors, anchors, and champions for students who need someone in their corner.

Missy’s example reflects the very best of our union: members stepping up, identifying community needs, and turning empathy into action. Her impact ripples far beyond the walls of the pantry. It reaches families, strengthens school culture, and inspires others to get involved.

CSEA is proud to uplift Missy Cole for her leadership, her generosity, and her unwavering belief that every student deserves to be cared for. She sets a powerful example of what it means to serve both our schools and our community—and we are honored to call her one of our own.