March 7 was Employee Appreciation Day, but we’re celebrating our team members all month long by sharing their stories. Read more about Stephanie Crawford, Director of Inclusion Services at The Learning Spectrum.
What is your favorite thing about working here?
I enjoy working for The Learning Spectrum because it gives me an opportunity to interact and meet new people, build relationships and help students be successful in their school of choice every day.
What keeps you coming to work each day?
The students, families, and our staff. Families trust us and choose Inclusion so their children can be successful in the classroom. Seeing those lightbulb moments on our students’ faces when something challenging finally clicks is one of my favorite parts of this job. Our department would not be what it is today without the dedication of our staff, and I am thankful for each and every one of them.
How do you make an impact on students’ lives?
Giving students the confidence they need to be successful; whether that is learning that it is okay to ask for help, it is okay to not know the answer, helping students study for a test, or just giving students a reminder of, “you’ve got this!” goes a long way.
Which one of our BetterTogether values resonates with you most personally and why?
All of these resonate with me personally but if I had to pick one, I would say supportive. Growing up, I had unconditional love and support from my parents and I still do to this day. I now get the opportunity to show the same unconditional love and support to my two daughters. Support carries over into my career because that is what inclusion is all about, and I just love that.
What does a “day in the life” look like for your role?
There is never a dull moment, that’s for sure but that is one of the reasons why I love this role. I get the opportunity to communicate with our current schools, families, and staff while always meeting new people and building new relationships. There is a lot of paper and computer work that needs to be done but it is all worth it to see how we are helping students grow confidence and be successful.
Can you talk a little bit about your career trajectory and what led you to where you are now?
I have worked in the field of education for 17 years now and developed a connection to special education when I met my husband, whose brothers have special needs. When I started working at The Learning Spectrum, I started as an aide, moved up to a supervisor, became the Senior Supervisor and now I am the Director. I have appreciated the opportunity to grow in this company, and I continue to learn something new every day.
What has been your proudest moment or accomplishment in your role?
With each new day, I realize that I must have a growth mindset to provide the support that is needed to our staff, students, families, and schools. I am not afraid to ask for assistance and transparency when I do not know the answer to something, and I think that is an accomplishment that I am very proud of.
What is something about you that not many people know?
Something that many people do not know about me is that I was the marching band president my senior year of high school. I played the clarinet in the marching band and the oboe in the ensemble.