Michelle Lowe-Calixte is one of those people who focuses on the path, not the obstacles.

She is a paraprofessional at IS 392 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, who has been an exemplary chapter leader the last three years — while also serving as the District 23 paraprofessional coordinator. And she does it all despite suffering from kidney failure that necessitates dialysis treatment four days a week.

“I take it day by day,” she said. “I look at my dialysis as a learning experience for myself and my staff members. I’m very open and honest about it and let the staff know it doesn’t let me stop from doing what needs to be done.”

When the school’s former chapter leader left during the pandemic, Lowe-Calixte, who was the UFT paraprofessional representative at the time, found herself handling the chapter leader responsibilities.

Since being elected chapter leader in 2022, she has worked hard to build a stronger and more well-informed chapter in which UFT members, regardless of job title, feel welcome. She started a chapter newsletter and a safety newsletter. At her chapter meetings, she brings in UFT experts and sometimes holds raffles.

Her strategies have raised attendance at school chapter meetings from 5% of the school’s UFT members to 25% or more, she said.

Lowe-Calixte brings her unique lens and experience as a paraprofessional to her chapter leader role. She quickly rectified the school’s use of paraprofessionals to monitor the lunchroom. Now, thanks to her intervention with the principal, paraprofessionals only do lunch duty when the student’s IEP calls for it.

Lowe-Calixte’s role as the district’s UFT paraprofessional coordinator also benefits the staff, said UFT District 23 Representative Ualin Smith. “She goes above and beyond to inform, empower and equip paraprofessionals with the information they need to do their work,” Smith said.

Joy Tonge, the school’s current UFT paraprofessional representative, says Lowe-Calixte sets an uplifting example. “Knowing that a paraprofessional can have a seat in that room and execute that role so efficiently has inspired me,” Tonge said. “She handles it all with grace and will consistently put herself last to make sure everyone else is taken care of.”