Local 4098 Member of the Month
January 2026
Manuel Caban
Manuel Caban is a Paraeducator at Springfield Central High School. He was nominated by Building Representative, Kamila Garcia-Nater and Elizabeth Baader, MLL English Teacher.
“Manny consistently brings a sense of positivity to students and staff alike. He is genuine, caring, and exceptionally knowledgeable across multiple academic areas. His ability to adapt effectively to a wide range of situations is an asset to Central and the entire district. We are fortunate to have him as a valued member of our team.” - Tad Tokarz, Principal
"Manny is very deserving to be the January 2026 Local 4098 Member of the Month. He works well with all students as he treats them with respect but also holds them accountable. Also, the staff really enjoy working with him as he
brings positive energy to the classroom everyday" - Mike Chiarizio, Assistant Principal
“It is with great enthusiasm that I offer my full support for the nomination of Manny Caban for recognition as an outstanding paraprofessional. Throughout his time in our school, Manny has consistently demonstrated an exceptional level of dedication, professionalism, and heart—qualities that make him truly extraordinary in his role and invaluable to our students and staff.
Manny goes far beyond the expectations of his job description on a daily basis. His commitment to students is unwavering; he approaches each day with enthusiasm, a readiness to help, and a genuine desire to see every learner succeed. Whether supporting instruction, assisting with classroom management, or providing individualized guidance, Manny brings patience, sensitivity, and deep compassion to everything he does.
One of his greatest strengths is his willingness to step in wherever he is needed. When staff members are absent or when unexpected challenges arise, Manny consistently volunteers to take the lead—covering classes, supporting transitions, or ensuring lessons continue smoothly. His reliability and initiative help create stability and continuity for our students, which is especially important in our program.
Additionally, Manny brings tremendous creativity and character to our classroom community. He finds innovative ways to engage students, build rapport, and make learning meaningful. His unique energy and joyful presence help create a warm, supportive environment where students feel safe, valued, and motivated. He serves not only with skill, but with genuine love and compassion that deeply impacts the children in his care.
In every sense, Manny embodies the qualities of an outstanding paraprofessional educator. His selflessness, dedication, and passion for student success elevate our entire school community. I am proud to offer this letter of support and strongly recommend him for this well-deserved recognition” - Elizabeth Baader, MLL English Teacher
“Señor Caban is always willing to assist with different tasks in class: providing individualize instructions to students, translating lessons from English to Spanish, as well as, maintaining the cleanliness and organization of our classroom. He has been an asset to our geometry class.” -
Duken Brown, Math Teacher
“Manny Caban is the kind of paraprofessional who truly lights up a space. His charisma and contagious energy make him a joy to work alongside, and he is always willing to lend a helping hand. It has been such a pleasure knowing Manny not only as a former student at Central, but now as a coworker. He is the true definition of dedication—constantly working to improve the workplace and make it a space where students genuinely want to be. Manny finds joy in the little details, from his bulletin board masterpieces to the way he turns everyday moments into something special and exciting. His care, creativity, and commitment make a lasting impact on both students and staff.” – Kamila Garcia-Nater
“It has truly been a pleasure working with Mr. Caban this year. He is always supportive, enthusiastic, and incredibly helpful with students. He brings a positive attitude every day and is such a joy to work alongside. Mr. Caban is truly awesome, and our students are better because of the care and energy he brings into the classroom.”- Kerri-Ann Warren
Congratulations Manny and thank you for Making A Difference 🙂
Write to your members of Congress asking them to pass the Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights (H. Res. 990 and S. Res. 450) and then share this link with your colleagues so they can do the same.
Wondering about your member benefits? Check these out!
Springfield Federation of Paraprofessionals
Local 4098
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Nominate a Local 4098 Member to be the Member of the Month
Do you know a member of our unit who goes above and beyond? Would you like to nominate that person for recognition within our local?
We would like to acknowledge a single member of our unit on a monthly basis for their contributions to our members and our local.
Use this link to nominate a member and tell us a little about why you think we should recognize them as the "Local 4098 Member of the Month ".
You can watch the School Committee Meetings live on Comcast-Channel 9 in Springfield or on YouTube on the Focus Springfield Channel Focus Springfield Community TV - YouTube
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