caregivers & healthcare corner By Lisa M. Monge, MSN, RN
r o f o r He … s r e i s Hoo d a o r b and A ifference! D a g in k a M rn Jennifer Ste
Welcome to the New Year! As we roll into the new year, it is beneficial to remind healthcare workers we have an ethical duty to be cognizant of those living with a disability. We, as an integrated health team of caregivers, must understand how much we can positively impact the quality of life for those living with special needs. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, roughly 43.5 million caregivers provide care unpaid care to an adult or child in the last 12 months. Part of the mission of Healthcare Corner includes highlighting caregivers who go above and beyond their ethical duty as a healthcare provider and aide in the reduction of healthcare barriers for those with living with a disability. Jennie Stern is stellar example of just that! Jennie is a special education teacher at the Independence Academy of Indiana (IA) who pays it forward for the most vulnerable Hoosiers. The IA is the only state accredited private school serving adolescents on the autism spectrum. Students attending the academy will graduate with a fully accredited high school diploma. The IA allows for small student teacher ratios (8:1). Middle school students attending the academy are also fortunate enough to attend daily life and social skills classes and high school students partake in daily transition classes. In addition, to ensure optimal outcomes for each and every student, the IA has partnered with HANDS in Autism, SpeakIndy, the Arc of Indy and the Autism Society of Indiana, just to name a few. Jennie has been a part of this academy for nine years and works with upper elementary and middle school students. One of her favorite things about her student is to watch their growth and states: “So many students come to our school looking for a place to belong. It is so beautiful to see them connect with others and for many, have friends for the first time. I have learned to never underestimate the abilities of the students. They all have unique and amazing abilities”
28 Special Needs Living • January 2021
Justin Reid, Jennie Stern and Peter Sima
At the IA, Jennie regularly goes above and beyond her teaching duties. Jennie has coordinated a “girls’ lunch” for female students, taking time away from her own lunch or break times to create these fun events. According to the Autism Society of Indiana (2020), there are 4.5 times more common in boys than in girls. For this reason, there are typically a large number of male students compared to female students at the academy. By hosting the “girls’ lunch” Jennie enables the female students to feel special and included. Jennie also volunteers for the special needs prom each year. The director of the IA, Marisa Gill, could not say enough positive things about her teacher. She boasted how Jennie is creative in her teaching and finds ways to keep her students engaged. Marisa continued “Jennie is a remarkable woman, with a true passion for teaching and a heart of gold. She is tirelessly dedicated to our students and helping them to overcome their unique challenges. I have worked with Jennie over the past seven years and her kindness and thoughtfulness never ceases to amaze me. Jennie has a special way of connecting with her students and pushing them to reach their full potential.”
