Hannah Eli

San Antonio, TX
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
North East ISD

Briefly describe your daily job duties.
I take care of tiny humans all day. I’m on my feet all day, changing diapers, lesson planning, differentiating instruction to meet my special needs kiddos. I take care of my kids when and where they need it whether it’s they need clothes or food, and learning.

As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job.
The most challenging part of my job is when I have to call parents. It’s not easy because they hear a pause and think something happened. But in person they see me stuttering and they think nothing of it. But I would say the most difficult part of my job is just the talking.

Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? If so, how?
I self disclosed by mentioning it in my weakness and strengths question. I say it’s a strength because no matter what, I never let me stutter stop me. Before teaching, I worked in customer service for 10+ years, including working at a call center.

What are your long-term career aspirations?
I want to help other beginning or transitioning teachers find their feet and voice. Coming from one district to another or just starting out is very challenging, especially when they have a disability. I want to help everyone get acclimated to teaching.

What is your proudest moment at your current company? (Does not have to be related to stuttering.)
My proudest moment is always when my students succeed and they are happy and excited to be at school. As a teacher, that is the best thing in the world.

Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work.
Because I get it. I have students in speech and I understand they get frustrated when communicating because I did too! I let them know they are not alone. I even make a week long lesson in SEL about stuttering and Speech disorders.

What’s your best advice for people who stutter striving to achieve career success?
Go for it! Your stutter is what makes you, you, and makes you amazing.