Liz Helton

Cold Spring, KY
Lead Teacher
Learning Grove

Briefly describe your daily job duties.
Working with 2.5-6 year olds in a classroom setting. Preparing and performing lessons with the children. Talking and mentoring coworkers. Yearly conferences with parents, as well as daily check-ins.

As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job.
When I first started teaching I had the fear that once people heard my stuttering they would think I wasn’t capable of teaching their child.

What are your long-term career aspirations?
Maintaining my position in the agency!

Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process?
I didn’t mention it during the hiring process, and I don’t mention it to coworkers or parents. I have had to explain it to children, “I was born this way and it doesn’t hurt. Thanks for being patient with me, because my mouth has to finish the word”. That’s usually all it takes.

What is your proudest moment at your current company?
We received a regional award for being the top preschool for the year.

Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work.
I am more patient with people and understand of their difficulties

What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success?
Prove everyone wrong! You can succeed and grow in your career.