This week's Staff Spotlight goes to Mrs. Stephanie Ochsenfeld, Interventionist!
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in education?
I volunteered in my daughter’s kindergarten class for a couple of days per week, helping with
reading stations. I enjoyed watching the children learn beginning reading and writing skills. I
commented to her teacher that I wish I had finished my education degree when I was younger.
She encouraged me to go back and finish it despite my age. Throughout the next several years,
she allowed me to continue to help in her classroom during stations and was one of my biggest
cheerleaders. Her classroom may have been where my love for reading started. When I
graduated with my degree, she attended my graduation.
2. What’s your favorite part of working with students?
My favorite part of working with students is watching them progress throughout the year. My
heart swells when children take what they learned in my classroom and either share it with
others outside the classroom or extend it and deepen their knowledge.
3. If you weren’t in education, what do you think you’d be doing?
I would be doing accounting. In high school, I earned a two-year accounting certificate in
vocational training. Before I had children, I worked in accounts receivable and payable for a
local grocery store chain and a telecommunications company. Although I was good at
accounting, it wasn’t where my heart wanted to be.
4. Do you have any professional goals you’re working on this year?
I am working to achieve my CALT (Certified Academic Language Therapist) certification. It’s a
two-year program that includes 700 hours of implementing the program with children, in-class
instruction during the summer and on Saturdays, and a state exam. I hope to sit for the exam
next summer. I’m also graduating with my master’s degree in May.
5. What’s one thing you love most about our school community?
I have worked in several schools. Meadow View is by far my favorite. I love how the staff loves
the students and strives to do their best to help the children learn and grow socially, emotionally,
and academically. When I see children skipping happily in the hallway, I know MVES is a
wonderful place.
6. Is there a particular moment in the school year you look forward to each year?
When I was in the classroom, my favorite part of the year was the last week of school. I loved
planning themed days and activities and watching the children have fun and enjoy being
classmates and friends. I hope to have some of those memories with this year’s reading
groups.
7. Do you have any hobbies or hidden talents?
I love to read. I can’t wait to finish my master’s degree and read more books for enjoyment. I
have a stack of books waiting to be read.
8. What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?
I like to eat hot, spicy food. My family has always been amazed at how I tolerate fiery meals
and snacks.
9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I don’t really want to travel the world. I would rather travel across the United States to see the
different terrain, oceans, and lakes, eat food, and shop. My husband and I like to eat at new
restaurants and eat different foods. I always say to him, “I wish I had Guy Fieri’s job on Diners,
Drive-ins, and Dives”.
10. What’s a food you can never say no to?
Chocolate or gummy candy