On a new Teacher's Lounge, it's my conversation with Jett Mehalic! He's a paraprofessional at Sowers Elementary School in Roanoke, Illinois, outside of Peoria.
Mehalic has a fascinating and pretty unique perspective on education.
He's a paraprofessional supporting special education students, but he just graduated high school in 2023! Instead of taking the traditional route — attending college for four years and student-teaching before working full time — Mehalic went directly into the classroom as a paraprofessional after graduation.
He's now taking classes online while working toward his teaching license.
Mehalic is passionate about special education because he was a special education student himself. He had an Individualized Education Program, or IEP. He understands the challenges students can face and knows how to advocate for students and families navigating the system.
It's also why he wanted to become a paraprofessional. He saw firsthand the important role paraprofessionals played in supporting students like him.
SHOW NOTES
Educator in this episode:
Jett Mehalic
Stories featured in this episode:
Belvidere families say goodbye to Perry Elementary School, closing after over 125 years
NIU international students say the Trump administration made their lives harder in the past year
Music: Our show's theme music is from the northern Illinois-based band Kindoves, featuring the songs "Popn," "Origins" and "Quiche." You can find more of their music on their SoundCloud page. You can also listen to the episode of WNIJ's Sessions from Studio A where they were featured.
Teachers! People who know teachers! People with stories about teachers! Send us an email and be part of the show!
Copy Edited by Eryn Lent
