A Teacher's Heart: Building Confidence in Special Needs Students

Brenda Hebert's journey into education was not planned. It was not until she was older that she found her calling. She wanted to work with students who have special needs. Her passion for teaching began at J. I. Watson, where she started as a substitute teacher in October 2008. One of her first students was a boy in a wheelchair. He was eager to learn and by the end of the year, he could read. This experience changed her life. Hebert is from Lake Charles and graduated from Welsh High School. Her parents taught her the value of education. They told her that school was a place to learn, not just to be babysat. She took this advice to heart and always tried to do her best in school. After high school, she went to Lamar University in Beaumont. She earned a Bachelor of Science in communication disorders. She has spent her entire career at J. I. Watson. She worked as a paraprofessional for 14 years. For the last four years, she has been a special education resource teacher.Hebert currently teaches third and fifth-grade students. She loves working with upper elementary students. They are more independent, and she enjoys the one-on-one time with them. At the start of each school year, she tells her students that they will be treated like her own children. This makes them feel safe and comfortable. Her classroom is a place of respect, love, and encouragement. She believes it is important for students to feel heard. She wants them to know they can come to her with any problems. She says, \"You never know what they are going through at home. They just need someone to talk to. \" The most rewarding part of her job is when students master a new skill. She loves seeing them smile and say, \"I finally did it! \" This builds their self-confidence. She believes her role is to help her students become independent adults. She urges all teachers to remember that students are the foundation of the community. She advises, \"Love every child, no matter what. Want to make a meaningful impact on their lives because they are the future of the world. \"