Interview with a high school LRC assistant

Interveiw with Heather Wurl

 I had the amazing opportunity to interview a special needs teacher's assistant at Sweet Home High School about teaching in Sweet Home, and I'm really excited to share what she had to say about teaching, her experience, and what it's like teaching in Sweet Home. She is a wife and a mother of three, two of whom are boys in college and one girl in middle school.She herself is in college online to get her full teaching licence to be a full-time LRC teacher.

Heather Wurl

Occupation: High School LRC assistant 

Hometown:vancouver,Washington

Family: Married, three children

Education:currently going to college

Years at SHHS:3 

Other Interests:being a mom,Friends the tv show,organizeation

Q: “What led you to be a teacher in Sweet Home?”

“I started at Sweet Home High School by chance. I was skeptical about working at a High School after working at an Elementary School for so long. But it wasn't long before I knew that working at

A high school is exactly what I was meant to do. But I wanted more. I started College to fulfill my dreams of becoming a special education teacher. The bonds and rapport I formed with my

students are the reason why I chose this career.”

Q: What are some experiences that helped you in your current career path

“Some early roles I had that prepared me for this role were driving a school bus for 12 years. I maintained excellent student management, an impeccable driving and attendance record, and I was a vital part of ensuring that students made it safely from point A to point B daily. When I left Brus Driving, I worked for two years as an Instructional Assistant,t working closely with non-verbal and & verbal special education students. I feel like both of those jobs really helped prepare me for my current career.”

Q: How did you decide what career you wanted to go into

“I decided this was the career I wanted when I became a student's safe space. I am a mother of three children. I have a big heart and am a very compassionate and kind person. In a sense, I viewed them as my kids even though they weren't my kids. Those students were my first 'batch' of kids I had in High School. They all graduated last year and are off doing grown-up and adult things. I am very proud of all of them and look forward to continuing to make a difference. Because I truly feel like I do.”

Q ” What do you enjoy most about teaching? Do you have anything exciting you’re working on?n”

“I enjoy watching who my kids start the year as and watching them progress and grow throughout the year. I both look forward to and despise graduation. I am so happy the kids are about to start the journey to the rest of their lives, finding out who they are meant to be in this world. But I also despise it because it marks the end of the school year,r and it makes me very emotional. Right now, I am working on college and completing it (hopefully) by next year so that I can become a full-time LRC teacher. This is very exciting for me! I can't wait!”

Q: What do you enjoy least about your job? 

“Honestly? I least enjoy summer. I would love to work all 12 months. Only working 9 /12 months makes me a little sad, and it makes me wish that I could be there year-round to keep things going.”

Q:  Was there anything that surprised you about her career? 

“How I don't mind waking up early for work anymore. I know that must sound ridiculous. But when I drove a school bus, I used to dread getting up with my alarm and going to work in the morning. Now? I am up before my alarm goes off a lot of the time, getting ready for work. I truly feel like that is the difference between a job you love and a job you are working just because you have to have.”

Q: What do you think are important traits to have as a person for her career? er.

“patience, kindness, compassion, integrity, but with High School, one of the most important is a sense of humor. If you have a sense of humor, the kids respond a little better.”

Q: What are some skills someone who wants to go into this career should have

 “Time management, classroom management, empathy, and being technically proficient will also help a lot.”

Q: Is there anything you wish you had done differently.

I wish I had gone to college sooner so she could be 100% certified. 

Q: Where do you see yourself in the future? 

“I see myself as an LRC teacher with my master's in special ed at the high school here in Sweet Home.”