Special needs teacher Laura Blake loves working with special needs students, truly believing that educating special needs students is her calling. Blake considers seeing the kids learn, grow and exercise their ability to do things on their own as one of her life’s greater joys.  

“Etowah is a full circle moment for me; this is where I very first started teaching as a Parapro,” Blake said.  

Although Blake has lived across America, Etowah is lucky enough to have her end up teaching with them. She began as a Parapro, a teachers assistant who supports students and teachers in many ways at Etowah. For instance, a Parapro helps by managing the classroom, as well as working individually with students. Etowah was her first job as a special needs teacher, and she believes that this will be her retirement job. 

“Seeing kids grow and learn and become able to do things by themselves is honestly so rewarding. I will never get tired of seeing it,” Blake said. 

Blake stated multiple times that seeing children grow and learn under her guidance is the most rewarding part of educating the future generation. Blake recalled a little girl she taught to be too afraid to walk to her car alone at the end of the day, as well as worried to leave the classroom for lunch. After working with this little girl for some time, Blake was able to convince her to do all of the things she did not want to do and more, showing how much of an impact Blake has on her students.  

“I would not trade this job for anything. Teaching is truly my dream job, and I am so excited to be teaching at Etowah,” Blake said.  

Blake mentioned that she has thought about pursuing other careers, but she has always circled back to being a teacher. As stated before, Blake loves educating all children, but mainly special needs students, and she encourages others to do the same. If one is interested in aiding Etowah’s special need students in Community Based Instruction trips, education and much more, please check out Etowah’s Friends Club program. 

“Although working with kids is not for everyone, I have found most kids who try Friend’s Club at least once end up loving it in the end, ” Blake said. 

Although Blake has taught at a few different schools since she first began her teaching career at Etowah, the school is extremely fortunate to have such a great teacher join its staff.