Amy’s Calling

March 1, 2024

Walking into Amy’s classroom, you can feel positivity and love radiating all around. She has always had a special connection to Elim, but now as a second-year Special Education teacher, Amy has cemented her place as a teacher who is accomplishing amazing things in her classroom.

At the age of 13, Amy first came to Elim with her family while they toured the school – her brother was in the process of enrolling as a student. Years later, while in high school, she aided in the same exact classroom that she teaches in now. Because of her past experiences, while deciding her future career path, she knew Special Education was what she was meant to pursue.

“I chose the right place to be,” Amy says, while explaining how her fellow dedicated staff members make her classroom run smoothly. “I have the best staff in the whole world. I love being here, and I couldn’t ask for a better Elim family.”

Her classroom finds fun and engaging ways to teach her students. For example, “Stop and Go” is a fun, yet educational, break time activity where students walk around the school and follow the leader holding the sign. It allows students to move around and burn off steam, while still providing them the educational opportunity to work on their communication skills and learn community signs!

Recently, one of her students who is nonverbal has been speaking more and more throughout the year. At the start of 2023, this student would only say “hello” or “goodbye.” One day, Amy and her classroom staff were able to get this student to say a paraprofessional’s first name – and the floodgates of words opened. Within the year, this student is now actively using his communication device more and speaking in full sentences.

“It’s one of my favorite memories from teaching here,” Amy shares. “It reminds me that sometimes love really needs no words.”

Do you want to start your career at Elim? Click here to check out some of our open positions today!