Speech teacher at Dr. David and Ruth Anderson Academy School No. 16 earns Golden Apple Award for life changing work with students

Rochester, New York – In a moment that has resonated far beyond the classroom walls, a speech teacher from Dr. David and Ruth Anderson Academy School No. 16 has been recognized for the kind of impact that cannot be measured in grades or test scores alone.

Tasha Lais, a dedicated educator within the Rochester City School District, has received the Golden Apple Award from News 8, an honor reserved for teachers who go above and beyond to help students reach meaningful milestones. For Ms. Lais, that recognition is deeply tied to one student’s journey—one that began with silence and slowly, patiently, found its voice.

Her work with Mikey, now a 7-year-old student at John Williams School No. 5, stands at the heart of the story. Diagnosed with autism, Mikey once struggled to express himself. But during his time at RISE Community School No. 106, under Ms. Lais’s guidance, something remarkable happened.

“He helped my son say his first complete sentence, which was I feel happy,” said Asia. “I cannot even put into words how much she means to me, our family, and the impact she has had on my son’s journey.”

For Mikey’s mother, Asia Constantine, that moment was more than a developmental step—it was a breakthrough that changed how her son connected with the world around him. It is also what led her to nominate Ms. Lais for the award, hoping others would recognize the quiet but powerful work happening every day in speech therapy sessions.

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Inside the school, colleagues say the recognition comes as no surprise.

“She has the warmth with her students that shows,” said Ryan Clair, School No. 16’s Principal. “Ms Lais is helping kids find their voice, and that is a transformational win, and an amazing moment, which is what education is all about.”

That warmth, they say, is not something that can be taught—it is something Ms. Lais brings naturally into every interaction. Whether working with students who are just beginning to form words or those building confidence in communication, her approach is rooted in patience, trust, and connection.

For Ms. Lais herself, the reward is found in those small but life-changing breakthroughs—the first word spoken, the first sentence completed, the first time a student truly feels heard.

She describes those moments as the reason she chose this profession, and the reason she continues to show up each day with the same level of commitment.

In reflecting on Mikey’s progress, she spoke not only about the child, but about the family behind him.

“His family is so special, and they really just make it worth it. Mikey is an amazing kid.”

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It is a reminder that education, especially in specialized fields like speech therapy, is rarely a solo effort. It involves collaboration, consistency, and a shared belief that progress—no matter how gradual—is possible.

The Rochester City School District has publicly celebrated Ms. Lais’s achievement, calling the recognition well deserved. Yet beyond the award itself, the story highlights something deeper: the lasting influence a single teacher can have on a child’s life.

In classrooms across the district, similar stories unfold every day, often without headlines or ceremonies. But in this case, the spotlight found its way to a teacher whose work has changed not just one student’s path, but an entire family’s outlook.

And sometimes, all it takes to change everything… is a single sentence.