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Teacher Spotlight - Sue McCrary
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
This week’s Teacher Spotlight features our life skills teacher, Sue McCrary. She talks about how she’s been drawn to work with special needs children since the third grade, what makes TWLS different not only for students, but for teachers, and her passions outside of the classroom.
You’ve been teaching at TWLS for two years now. What made you decide to get involved with children with special needs?
It started in 3rd grade. I had a friend with physical challenges and I helped her out. I remember thinking that I’d like to work with people with physical and cognitive limitations. Working with her and learning about her exercises really showed me that I’d like to work with people with special needs. I graduated with my undergrad from the University of Western Michigan and got my masters at the University of St. Mary’s. I also taught special needs classes at Kennedy High school for nine years.
How did you get involved with TWLS?
Well it’s kind of a long story. I got a recruiting DVD about TWLS. I didn’t really know what it was about, so I stuck it in my backpack, because I thought it was about the curriculum. When I eventually got time to watch the DVD, it talked about the school and how special it was. I called the founder, she invited me in, and I eventually got through a first interview. I didn’t want an interview at the time, but I went through a second one. I was then offered a job, and I declined, but she offered it to me again and I took it. I just finished my second year at TWLS.
What made you finally decide to come teach here then?
I loved philosophy of it, I like how small it is, I like the fact you’re not only a teacher, you’re also nurturing these kids in kind of a safe environment. TWLS is so different than public schools, you can hug the kids, it’s much more homey.
What kind of classes to you teach to the children at TWLS? Any specific age group?
I teach math, to all kids, from youngest to oldest. I also teach life skills, depending age-wise, or skills to make you independent as an adult including cooking, tying shoes, working with zippers. I also teach social skills to the older students mostly 13-18, such as budgeting, schedules, a vocational emphasis, and living on your own.
What makes working here the most rewarding?
Seeing the kids feel a sense of accomplishment and sense of success, even if that is coming in and seeing friends or filling out a resume. It’s seeing them going home feeling good about themselves. This past year it was pretty awesome to see how much progress the math class made. It was the middle group that had the most progress.
What kind of hobbies do you enjoy outside of teaching?
Oh my goodness, kayaking, coaching women’s cross country running, tenth seasons, spending time with my family (been married for 24 years with 3 kids). I like reading – any book by David Baldacci, and my favorite vacation spot is definitely the North Shore.
The Lewis Crew LOVES Sue McCrary!