CUSD 50 Staff Spotlight: Amy Stark, Special Education Teacher at Crosby Elementary
"I grew up in Tinley Park, Illinois, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Trinity Christian College. The college had a small enrollment—fewer students, in fact, than Crosby currently serves. Later in my career, I completed coursework at National Louis University to earn an LBS1 endorsement, qualifying me to teach Special Education."
"I began my teaching career as a fourth-grade educator at a small private school in Lansing, Illinois, where the school playground bordered the Illinois-Indiana line. Following a relocation to the northwest suburbs, I taught at a therapeutic day school for two years before taking some time off to care for my young children. Upon re-entering the education field, I served as a paraprofessional in Spring Grove, Illinois, for two years, after which I accepted a fourth-grade teaching position in Alden-Hebron. Following one year in that role, I returned to a therapeutic day setting in Woodstock, Illinois, where I remained for four years. For the past 11 years, I have served as a special educator within District 50."
"My decision to pursue a career in education was primarily influenced by my Aunt Ruth. As a dedicated preschool teacher for many years, she even had the privilege of instructing the children of former students. She was everything you could wish for in an early childhood educator, demonstrating exceptional patience, a compassionate approach, and a commitment to engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Additionally, my fourth-grade teacher, Lucy Kooyenga, left a lasting impression. Her daily read-aloud sessions, complete with distinct character voices, captivated the entire class and truly brought literature to life. During my time as a fourth-grade teacher, reading aloud to my students remained my favorite part of the instructional day."
"I love that I get to spend my days with a small group of students and my wonderful ESPs, Brenda Silva and Deb Garza. We really get to know our students well and it is so exciting to see the progress the students make! I love sitting down at IEP meetings and sharing with parents all the wonderful things their children are accomplishing at school. Oftentimes I find myself with tears in my eyes in the meetings because I’m just so proud of what the students have accomplished. I also love that every year and group of students is so different. It definitely makes things interesting!"
"I love the community feeling in the building. The teachers and staff all work as a team for the good of all the students. Even though Crosby is a large school, it really doesn’t feel that way. It is not uncommon to have a student walk down the hall and be greeted by name from multiple people. It really says a lot about how important relationships are here at Crosby."
"In terms of spreading positivity, I would say celebrate all the little wins during the day. If you keep celebrating and acknowledging students for their successes, you will find that you can’t help but smile! The kids pick up on it and start complimenting their peers as well. It multiplies quickly and builds a strong classroom community."