Стипендиатка Best Buddies Джулия Степшенс поступила в Иллинойсский университет для работы учителем-специалистом

Freshman Julia Stephens grew up in Normal with a desire to help young people with disabilities. Now, with a Best Buddies Scholarship, she’s pursuing that passion through Illinois State University’s nationally renowned special education program. As a sophomore at Normal Community High School, Stephens took a unified physical education class that paired general education students with students with disabilities. She formed friendships, built trust, and encouraged students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to develop their skills and gain confidence. “I was paired with my first buddy in that class, and that’s where it took off for me,” Stephens said. Stephens cites her mentoring experience through that class as the reason she became passionate about special education. Her mentee, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy, experienced “a lot of challenges throughout her life, but she always persevered through them,” Stephens said. “While a lot of people overlooked her abilities and focused on what she can’t do, I’ve gotten to see what she can do.” Like all teaching roles, it takes a special kind of gentle firmness and patience, but Stephens is driven by a depth of compassionate understanding. “I think a lot of people misunderstand these kids,” Stephens said. “They are genuinely the sweetest people ever, and I just love working with them. It’s really cool to see those kids improve, especially when they don’t have the motivation themselves at first, so I can see how I help them find their motivation.” Living in Bloomington-Normal, Stephens had every opportunity to pursue special education as a career, and she has taken them all. Beginning as a special education intern with McLean County Unit 5, she mentored elementary and middle school students before discovering her greatest strength was with fellow high school students. She also became president of the Normal Community High School chapter of Best Buddies—an international peer-mentoring organization for students with IDD. When the chapter needed a new president going into her senior year, the Best Buddies faculty sponsor at her high school encouraged her to apply. “I was a little skeptical at first about being president, because I wasn’t sure I would have time for it, since I really prioritize my academics. But I ended up doing it, and I loved it,” Stephens said. “I really liked planning events and making sure that all the buddy pairs were going well.” She received the Best Buddies Scholarship through Illinois State’s Department of Special Education to support her journey to become a special education teacher. At that point, coming to the University hardly seemed like a choice. “I didn’t even think about doing a campus visit or anything, because ISU has kind of just always been a part of my life,” Stephens said. “During Welcome Week, I talked to some people who asked me, ‘Where is this building?’ and I’d say, ‘Oh, it’s that way,’ like I already know where everything is.” Stephens is also excited to join one of the largest special education programs in the country at Illinois State, which she said already feels like home. “I’m definitely excited to join Best Buddies at ISU—that’s probably the first thing I’ll do,” Stephens said. Illinois State University’s Best Buddies chapter was founded in 1990 and is one of the oldest chapters in the country. The registered student organization hosts regular social events to advocate for inclusion and foster connection. Second to Best Buddies, she’s interested in joining Encounter, the Christian campus ministry organization at Illinois State, citing her faith as an important source of inspiration. “I’ve been a townie for my whole life, so I also want to just put myself out there and meet new people,” Stephens said. Stephens is most eager to continue working with her mentees and students with IDD. “They’ve had a bigger impact on me than they probably realize. They have taught me lessons about patience, understanding, connection, and seeing the person before the disability that I’ll carry with me throughout my career as a special education teacher,” Stephens said. Read about more students featured in our “Newest Redbirds” series at News.IllinoisState.edu.