She has been one of the most loved staff members of Buddina State Primary School, but now she is one of its longest members, having reached a significant milestone of 20 years.
It is a big achievement for me, she said.
The mother of Ms Flannery, Dee Flannery, was initially worried her daughter's down syndrome would be a barrier to employment.
She bumped into her daughter's old teacher, Buddina Primary School, in 2003.
She happened to ask how Liss was going and I said: 'Well, she's fallen into a hole having finished Year 12 and I don't know what the next step is.
A couple of days later, we got a call, and Liss came up and she's been here ever since.
And it was amazing how it all went into place. Miss Elissa, 40 years old, is now a paid teacher's aide for the school's pre-kindergarten preparations of about 100 students.
I love working here because I like working with the kids and I like helping them out and doing significant activities with them, she said.
It's nice to be a part of the community and the school.
The ladies at my office celebrated a special occasion for me the other day, and they are so happy and proud of me. Flannery said the employment had given her daughter a sense of purpose.
It also gave her a lot of confidence.
We walk through a shopping centre now and kids yell out 'Hi Liss'. School Principal Russell Thompson said it wanted to mark Ms Flannery's 20 years of service.
We had a special morning tea for Elissa and celebrated her achievements over those 20 years, he said.
Ms Flannery enjoys a diverse range of work at the school, such as reading groups, class activities, and coordinating the Caring Cards, a special rewards system for positive behaviour.
Prep student Hayden Sullivan said the teacher aide was very generous.
When I play out on the playground and I be good she gives me lots of Caring Cards, he said.
The younger sister of former Buddine student and Queensland State of Origin star Chris Flannery is also known as Ms Flannery.
She has been kicking her own goals, such as moving out of her home for the first time.
It's nice to have my own freedom there. My mum and dad and my two brothers, who are both very proud of me, and also my sister-in-law. Dee Flannery, 58, said it's been a big adjustment not having her daughter at home.
We had her for 40 years, and then all of a sudden it's just Pete and I, empty nesters, she said.
It's just perfect. It's everything we ever wanted, with great carers, they're amazing. Flannery said her daughter's achievements will serve as an inspiration to other families of children with disabilities.
When parents come in, Liss, who has a child with a disability, can see what they can achieve, which we think's pretty special, she said.
I think she brings a lot of joy to the school.
7 Comments
Tyutyunya
Ms Flannery's employment provides her with a sense of purpose and confidence: By being given the opportunity to work at the school, Ms Flannery has gained confidence and found her own sense of purpose. This is a positive outcome for her personal development and well-being.
marshal
The article focuses more on personal anecdotes than on Ms Flannery's actual impact on the school and its students: While it is heartwarming to hear stories about Ms Flannery's interactions with students and her sense of purpose, the article does not provide concrete evidence of her contributions to the school.
Tyutyunya
Sharing personal experiences helps to create a connection between readers and Ms Flannery. It allows readers to see the impact she has had on the school community and how she has overcome obstacles.
marshal
Reaching the milestone of 20 years of service is a noteworthy achievement, regardless of job performance. It demonstrates her commitment and dedication to the school community.
Tyutyunya
The article fails to include perspectives from other staff members or students: While it is important to hear from Ms Flannery and her mother, it would also be relevant to hear from other colleagues and students to gain a more well-rounded understanding of her impact on the school community.
Dmitri07
The fact that Ms Flannery's mother happened to bump into her old teacher and secure a job for her daughter raises questions about the fairness of the hiring process.
Muchacho
Ms Flannery's impact on students is evident through their testimonials: The article includes quotes from a student who speaks highly of Ms Flannery's generosity and positive behavior reinforcement. These testimonials provide evidence of her impact on students' lives.