This week’s Staff Spotlight goes to Heather Reeves, Interventionist!
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in education? Back in the olden days, students had to be five years old by October 1st to start school. My birthday is September 27th, so I made the cutoff by just three days. That made me the youngest in my class—and, as I would come to realize, also the most immature.
By second grade, I was already struggling. Reading and math didn’t come easily to me, and my teacher suggested to my mother that I be retained. But my mom refused. She believed that with extra help, I could catch up—and she was right. Still, the road wasn't easy. I continued to struggle throughout my elementary school years. I knew I was behind my classmates, and I felt it every day. That feeling stayed with me—the quiet weight of knowing you’re not quite keeping up.
But instead of breaking me, that experience became my inspiration.
I knew that when I grew up, I didn’t want other children to feel what I had felt. I wanted to help them. I wanted to be the person who could say, “I’ve been there. I know how hard it is. And I know you can do it.”
Sometimes, it just takes a little longer. That doesn’t mean you can’t be successful. It just means your journey is your own.
2. What’s your favorite part of working with students? One of the best parts of working with students is just getting to know them—their personalities, what makes them laugh, what they enjoy. I love watching them grow over the years, especially when things start to click for them. Seeing that progress, both academically and personally, is such a great feeling. It reminds me why I do what I do.
3. If you weren’t in education, what do you think you’d be doing? Without education, you’d find me either cuddling dogs at a rescue center or hunting down the perfect outfit for someone—because I can’t resist dogs or shopping!
4. What’s one thing you love most about our school community? What I love most about our school community? The friendships! Between students, parents, and staff, it feels like I’m part of a big, supportive team that also knows how to have fun.
5. Do you have any hobbies or hidden talents? I enjoy CrossFit, mostly for the challenge and the feeling afterward. Heavy lifting? Not my goal—just surviving and thriving!
6. What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you? I have three dogs, and I can’t stand leaving them in crates all day. Thankfully, my parents swoop in daily with treats and playtime—they’re basically dog superheroes!
7. What’s a food you can never say no to? I can never say no to candy. Gummies are my weakness, but every once in a while chocolate makes the cut too.