Today we’d like to introduce you to Makala Hebert.
Hi Makala, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey to becoming a special education teacher is honestly one that I never expected. If you would have told me years ago that I would be a classroom teacher, I probably would have laughed because I never wanted to be a teacher in a million years. But now that I am here, I truly would not change it for the world. I went to Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a minor in Mental Health. I always knew that I wanted to work in a career where I could help people and give back to my community. After graduating, my first “big girl” job was working at a psychiatric hospital in Washington, D.C. as a Court Liaison. I loved working with my patients. I was amazed by how meaningful it was to care for someone, support them through a difficult time, and actually see their progress and growth. While working there, I started thinking about how I could take the things I was learning and apply them to children. That thought really stayed with me. I began to realize that there was a connection between the work I was doing in mental health and the kind of support children need, especially children with disabilities. That eventually led me to education. I started in the school system as a paraprofessional, and from there I worked my way up to becoming a classroom teacher. Now, I am a special education teacher, and I absolutely love what I do. I especially love servicing the special education community because I feel like these students are sometimes overlooked. There can be instructional gaps, communication gaps, and areas where students are not always given the same opportunities to access learning. For me, this work is about finding those gaps and asking, “What can I do to help fill them?” I want to give my students the things they may have been missing and make sure they have access to meaningful learning experiences. I also see it as a way of giving back to the community that helped raise and educate me. I grew up going through the public school system, and now I have the opportunity to come back and serve that same community in a different way. So, although teaching was never part of my original plan, I think I ended up exactly where I was supposed to be. I started as a paraprofessional, became a classroom teacher, and now I get to advocate for and teach students who deserve to be seen, heard, and given every opportunity to succeed. I really would not change the journey for anything. The great ground breaker Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
This quote really resonates with me because it represents why I do what I do. I believe education is more than academics, grades, or test scores. Education gives people opportunities, creates change, and gives individuals a voice. As a special education teacher, I have the opportunity to make sure students who may sometimes feel overlooked still have access to those opportunities. My journey into education was unexpected, but I have realized that this is one of the ways I can give back to my community. I want to be a voice for my students, advocate for their needs, and help them see possibilities for themselves. I may not be able to change the entire world, but if I can positively change the life of even one student, then I believe I am doing something meaningful. That is what makes education so powerful to me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would not necessarily say that my road has been difficult because I have not experienced many outright obstacles. However, one of the biggest challenges I have faced, especially within the past two years of teaching, has been learning how to balance my passion for my students and my work with taking care of myself. I love what I do, and I want to be able to do this work for a very long time. Because of that, I have had to realize that my physical, mental, and emotional health have to be a priority, too. It can be easy as an educator to give everything you have to your students and put yourself last. I have had to learn that if I am not my best self, how can I be my best self for my students? That has been an ongoing challenge for me—making sure I am creating time to rest, recharge, and take care of myself while still being passionate about the work that I do. I want to wake up every day and give my students the best version of me. I know that in order to do that, I have to take care of the person who is showing up for them every day. So, while my journey has not been filled with major obstacles, it has taught me an important lesson: taking care of myself is not taking away from my students. It is actually what allows me to continue showing up for them with the patience, energy, compassion, and passion they deserve.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am currently a special education teacher, and my work is centered around providing equitable and differentiated instruction to students with disabilities. My role goes far beyond teaching academics. I am also a caregiver, advocate, curriculum developer, collaborator, and someone who works closely with students to understand what they need in order to be successful. A big part of my job is developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), adapting curriculum, and finding different ways to make instruction accessible for every student. I also serve as my school’s elementary department chair and a member of the Instructional Leadership Team. Through these roles, I have the opportunity to be involved in school wide initiatives and help lead efforts that support both students and staff. Whether that looks like organizing back-to-school drives, coordinating donation and supply drives, or making sure my elementary team has the resources and preparation needed to provide critical instruction, I try to look at the bigger picture. What I am most proud of is my ability to advocate for students who are sometimes overlooked. I believe every child deserves access to meaningful instruction, regardless of their disability or the gaps they may have in their education. For me, equity means asking, “What does this student need?” rather than expecting every student to learn in the exact same way. I think what sets me apart is that I genuinely care about the whole child. I want to understand my students, their strengths, their needs, their interests, and what makes them who they are. I do not want my students to feel like their disability is the first or only thing people see when they look at them. I want them to know that they are capable, valued, and deserving of the same opportunities as everyone else. I am also proud of the fact that I have grown into leadership while still remaining connected to the classroom. I can advocate for students, support teachers, help lead initiatives, and still walk into my classroom every day and do the work. At the end of the day, I think that is what I am most passionate about—making sure that students are not only included, but that they are actually given the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is going to the movies with my mom. We both share a love for superhero movies, and Iron Man has always been our favorite hero. Some of my favorite memories are simply sitting next to my mom, watching a movie, eating snacks, and enjoying that time together. What makes this memory even more special is that it did not stop when I grew up. Even today, I still go to the movies every Tuesday. Movies have always been something that my mom and I could enjoy together, and those movie outings have become a tradition that I truly cherish. Looking back, I think it was never really just about the movies. It was about spending quality time with my mom and having something that we could share together. Those moments remain some of my most cherished childhood memories.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ms_makalateaches?stkn=MWx4dXd3a2cyamMwdQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
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- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/makala-hebert-humanservices?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
- Twitter: https://x.com/msmakalateaches?s=11
