At Ida B. Wells High School, Darcy Shetler works as a paraprofessional for students with special needs. She says, “It can be incredibly challenging and stressful, but having an opportunity to work with the kids and see them have what you're teaching click in their heads is really inspiring and worth it.” Over her years at IBW, she has learned how to have empathy and compassion for all students, especially those with special needs. Once a student at IBW herself, her father worked as an English teacher and sports coach. Looking back on her father’s role at IBW was one of the reasons that inspired her to pursue a career in education. After graduating in 1987, she attended Western Oregon University for a year and a half before deciding to leave campus life and minor in Management Information Systems at Linfield College. She later married Jeremy Shetler, also an educator at IBW, and became a bookkeeper at the school. In September 2023, she took a leap and switched to her current role as a paraprofessional. Shetler values her time with her family and their three cats and enjoys puzzles, crafting and scrapbooking. Along with her hobbies, she loves watching sports and hopes to one day attend a professional football game in a stadium.

Written by Zoe Divens, Intro to Communications, Fall 2024