Stonebraker plans career advocating for children with disabilities
A summer job led Sarah Stonebraker to her chosen career.
“As soon as I graduated from high school, I started working in the adult day services at Bona Vista,” she said. “I found a passion for breaking the stigma around disabilities and showing people that disabilities aren’t something to be afraid of. I believe everyone, no matter their disability, deserves to be respected and included.”
She’s currently student teaching at Western Intermediate School as part of Indiana University Kokomo’s yearlong teacher residency program. She will graduate in May as an elementary education major, with a special education minor.
Through the residency program, Stonebraker, from Kokomo, began student teaching in a fifth-grade classroom on the first day of school. This semester, she’s in a self-contained special education classroom with children in grades 3 to 5. Stonebraker feels better prepared for her own classroom because of the extended time she spent working with her supervising teachers. She also appreciates the stipend provided to program participants. It allows her to concentrate on teaching and not an additional job.
The program has given her perspective on her future career.
“I was unsure if I wanted to go into the teaching field or just work with kids with special needs in a different area,” she said. “After being in the residency program, I figured out being in a school is definitely what I want to do. I’ve found a passion for it. I love being able to connect to different students.”
There’s no better feeling that being able to teach children, she said.
“Watching students get that ‘light bulb’ moment when something clicks, and seeing the look on their face is a feeling like no other,” she said. “Teaching students with disabilities, you are not only teaching academics, but you are teaching social skills, regulation strategies, behavior techniques, and many other skills that students will use in life. I love being able to advocate for my students along with teaching them to advocate for themselves.”
She feels ready for the challenge of her own classroom and said IU Kokomo faculty and staff supported her preparation.
“I love Sharon [Johnson] in the education office,” Stonebraker said. “Anytime you need anything, she’s there. She provides snacks and she’s a listening ear. Mr. [Dee] Marler (director of field experiences and recruitment) is there any time we need something. He’s just an email or a call away, and he will sit and listen and let you vent, and then help you figure out your problem. Dr. [Alina] Mihai (associate professor of education) really helped me understand special education, and I’ve learned a lot from her.”
Stonebraker noted that she began college on another campus, transferring to IUK after her first year.
“I wanted to be back in the community that I grew up in,” she said. “I love being a part of this community and being able to give back in doing some of the things that I grew up doing. I helped coached softball when I got home. I assisted with a travel softball team, and I was a head coach the past two years with the Kokomo Kubs Softball organization.”
The School of Education provided school placements every semester starting as soon as she transferred, giving her the opportunity to work with many teachers in various classrooms.
“I have definitely been to some great schools,” Stonebraker said. “IUK has a very good partnership with the schools. We are placed well and definitely taken care of when we go. I’ve been blessed with good host teachers every placement I’ve had.”
She looks forward to graduating in May.
“I’m excited, but a little sad,” she said. “I will miss seeing a lot of people, but I’m ready to be in my own classroom.”
Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.