Employee Testimonials - Teacher

Taton

Taton For almost three years Taton Stambaugh-Tubbs has been making the two-hour commute to Heartspring from a small town north of Wichita, where he lives with his wife and their three young daughters. While attending Emporia State University, Taton discovered his desire to pursue a career in special education. Taton, classroom teacher in S121 and S123, has been at Heartspring for almost three years.

“In college I worked in several group homes for adults with disabilities and continued to do so after I graduated. I’ve always enjoyed being a part of helping those with disabilities to achieve maximum independence for themselves,” he says.

As the lead teacher in S121 and S123, Taton is responsible for overseeing the paraeducators and making sure each student is on target for the particular Individual Education Program (IEP) goals.

“As a teacher I am responsible for the goings-on in my classroom. I develop IEP goals for my students and supervise the training and implementation of those goals. I help when intervention is needed during student behaviors and also act as a substitute when my staff is absent. I act as a resource for my paraeducators who I also supervise and train. I also collect and interpret data in order to provide progress notes for parents and school districts.”

Taton describes working at Heartspring as a team oriented facility focused on each child and creating a home for them where they can be productive and thrive.

“My students have beautiful and unique personalities,” he says. “and working with them and the paraeducators and all the professionals on each team is an enjoyable part of the job. It is always refreshing and challenging to work with those individuals who strive to give independence to our students. To witness the love and dedication that are daily occurrences here at our school is truly inspiring.”

Taton hopes that as the students grow and transition to their adult placements, or return home, they will take skills with them to increase their quality of life.

“I want them to each go into their home communities and lead rich and fulfilling lives after they finish here at Heartspring,” he says. “I want them to develop as much independence for themselves as possible according to their unique strengths.”

[More Employee Testimonials]