This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
After many years of teaching English and in Special Education, Jessie Stephens now works as an educational team facilitator. Originally from Swampscott, Massachusetts, she has worked as a teacher in Indiana, North Carolina and Tennessee. Stephens is looking forward to being back in the Boston area and exploring local pizza spots with her family. She also enjoys sewing, crocheting and watching British crime shows.
What do you like most about BHS so far?
How welcoming it feels. There’s a sense that everyone is okay here and everyone can find a place where they fit in, which wasn’t always the case in other schools. Being so close to Boston adds to the diversity, which is wonderful. The leadership here, both at the school and district level, also really cares about making sure students and staff feel welcome.
How did you end up working as a special education teacher?
I like to say I had a circuitous path in my career. I began as a high school and middle school English Language Arts teacher, and I found that the students who did best in my classes were often the most difficult in other teachers’ classes. A faculty member at Indiana University, where I was getting my master’s degree, encouraged me to pursue Special Ed. After working on my PhD program, I decided to teach Special Ed directly. So, I ended up doing both English and Special Ed. All teachers, of course, teach students with special needs, but I decided to focus on that more specifically because it was needed in the community and I could help.
What is your favorite book?
“The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver. I taught it in one of my English classes and I was so happy about it because I have probably read it three times. She’s my favorite author, so that was wonderful to be able to teach.
What is a fun fact about you that others might not know?
A hidden talent I have is that before I decided to teach, I was training to become an opera singer and was a vocal performance major.
Do you have any advice you would like to share?
It’s always okay to change your plan if it’s not working for you.
