Patricia Mahnke

I am a seasoned army wife of over 25 years and a devoted mother of four. Throughout most of those years, I dedicated myself to being a stay-at-home mom, with brief stints working in the automotive industry and as a floral designer. However, my journey took a significant turn when I stepped into the role of a math teacher at A+ Help.

Discovering A+ Help was a game-changer for my family. We were facing challenges as my teenager struggled academically and the parish online school seemed to exacerbate the issue. However, everything shifted once he started attending A+ Help. With caring teachers, smaller class sizes, and the invaluable guidance of Mrs. Danyel, his grades soared, culminating in an impressive 3.6 GPA upon graduation.

Simultaneously, my youngest child encountered obstacles of her own. Diagnosed with a mild learning disability, ADHD, and Anxiety in 1st grade, she faced an uphill battle within the traditional school system. Despite my relentless efforts to secure accommodations, the system fell short. Substituting within the school system at that time, I intimately knew each of her teachers and fought tirelessly alongside her.

By the time she reached third grade, my husband and I concluded that the public junior high and high school environment wouldn't suit her needs. Thus, we made the pivotal decision to enroll her in A+ Help, where Mrs. Danyel's personalized approach could provide the support, she needed. Continuing to substitute for Danyel, I found myself deeply embedded in the educational landscape.

In the summer of 2022, while subbing for one of her teachers, Ms. Danyel extended an offer for me to join A+ Help full-time once again. This time, the stars aligned, as my third child was gaining independence with a driver's license and my youngest was preparing to enter sixth grade. With my familial responsibilities shifting, I seized the opportunity, and since August 2022, Ms. Danyel and I have been working in tandem at A+ Help, making a difference in the lives of our students every day.