Some things are serendipitous. The same can be said for Grace Weitz, an instructional paraprofessional at North Junior High School, when she was looking for a new job. She’d already been in several industries, but none of them really spoke to her. On a whim, she decided to attend one of St. Cloud Area School District’s job fairs at North Junior High School. She had experience in several fields, and the school was within walking distance of her home.
“I’d actually always wanted to be a custodian,” says Weitz. “At the time I was a cook at a daycare. I went with the hope of getting either a custodianship for any building… [or] food service. While I was there, I saw Kris Pitt (licensed supervisor of special education), who I’ve known since elementary school. She did EBD (emotional and behavior disorder) when I was in elementary.”
Pitt encouraged Weitz to try for the SPED (Special Education) team.
When Weitz was applying for other positions, Pitt thought to herself, “Are you kidding? She needs to join our team!”
Pitt has always believed that Grace has always been wise beyond her years. She’s “always been wise, empathetic and bright.”
Weitz had never done anything like a paraprofessional before, but she learned from Pitt what SPED was about and the process to get qualified. After taking the exam, applying for a position and interviewing, she was hired.
After looking at options, Weitz chose to work at North.
“It was just my dream location, but with a totally new professional direction,” explains Weitz. “I’ve done a lot of different jobs … with kids. I was going out on a limb with trying something new.”
Within a couple of weeks, Weitz loved the work and felt she was really good at the job.
“I was really starting to develop a lot of confidence and I wanted to do what my bosses do,” shares Weitz. “I had a moment when I just thought, ‘You know, if my bosses went to school and got their license and certification and this is their job, I can do that.’ So, this past fall, I went back to school and now I’m in school to get my SPED license and become a special ed teacher.”
It was a life-changing realization.
“I think about it all the time,” reflects Weitz. “I really walked in with a completely different path in mind–no path in mind. [I] just wanted security and consistency and I ended up finding a career and passion. And now I’m on a totally different track.”
As an instructional para, her days can be very scheduled or very flexible. The key, according to Weitz, is having the realization that you work with everyone in the school.
Developing relationships with students and teachers is an integral part of her job.
“Special Ed is interesting because there is so much variance in personality, skill level and physical ability that there are kids that I met on the first day that I’m very close to, and there are kids that I’ve really had to work developing a trust–a relationship with,” says Weitz.
Relationships are a significant part of her personal life as well. When Weitz, isn’t working, attending class or doing homework, she loves to spend time with her family, especially cuddling up with her son, Zeppelin, to watch a movie. Once in a while, she grabs the chance of just the quiet downtime and enjoys going on walks.
Weitz is looking to the future of finishing school and obtaining a degree. With her newfound passion, she realizes giving students a voice is important to her. As she looks toward what lies ahead, she knows that being in education is just one way to help give students a voice, and maybe, serendipitously, make changes in their lives just as education has transfomed her.
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