After starting the district program for Autistic children in Lake Orion, Julie Stucky hopes to do even more for children in special education as the district’s new special education supervisor.
Stucky grew up in Lake Orion and had an experience as a student at Pine Tree Elementary School that convinced her to make a career of special education.
“I had the job of getting a visually impaired girl off the bus every day,” she said. “I loved that job. If I hadn’t had that job, I probably wouldn’t have gotten to know her.”
Stucky is amazed at the strengths she sees in special education students, and wants to show the rest of the world how brilliant they are.
“I wanted to be their advocate,” she said. “Growing up here, I loved Lake Orion Schools and every single one of my teachers was great. I think it’s important to know the district (you work in) and the people in it.”
Stucky graduated from Lake Orion High School in 1988 and attended Western Michigan University, and earned an undergraduate degree in special education; she went on to earn a master of education degree in early childhood education from Oakland University in 1999. She also received endorsements there in special education.
She is three classes away from earning her education specialist in special education leadership and administration from Wayne State University.
Stucky began her career in special education as a teacher at Longfellow Elementary School in Hazel Park. After four years there she returned to Lake Orion and worked at Carpenter Elementary in the Autistic program she started for two years, also working as the Autistic consultant for the district.
Stucky begins her 11th year in special education, her seventh with Lake Orion Schools, as the new special education supervisor, working out of an office in the CERC building. She hopes to maintain the open door policy there with parents that she has had in the past.
“I want to continue to work with the parents,” she said. “I want to continue to have that open flow (of communication)…you have to work as a team in special education.”
The new job is a lifetime goal for Stucky, who saw it as a way to further her advocating efforts for her students.
“I knew I wanted to stay in special education, but also help make decisions,” said Stucky. “What better way to be their advocate?
“The special education staff here is outstanding,” she continued. “It’s wonderful to work with their expertise.”
Stucky will work as the special education supervisor, and in her old job as the Autistic consultant until a replacement can be found for her in that position.
“I’ll still be working to oversee all the Autistic students in the district,” she said. “I’m also doing decision making…finding what’s best for special education students. Right now I’m doing it all.”
Stucky has lived in Ortonville for the past year with her husband Steve and their five-year-old daughter Alexis, who began kindergarten this year at Carpenter.
“My biggest hobby would be my daughter,” she said. “She’s very enthusiastic and spirited. Next summer our goal is to ride horses together..we both love them, but they said she couldn’t ride until she was six.”
Stucky is loving her now job and has received outstanding support from her co-workers.
“I love the staff,” she said. “Everyone is great.”