A group of memorable teachers helped Michaela Heuckendorf ’19 overcome the challenges that once made it difficult for her to learn. Tables in the classroom have turned. Heuckendorf is now making it her mission to help others overcome their challenges to become the best students they can be.
The Plymouth, Minn., native was diagnosed with a learning disability in seventh grade, but she discovered that it’s OK not everyone learns the same way or at the same rate. Using her experiences, Heuckendorf now wants to be a special education teacher — to inspire and encourage students as she once was. “I had the most amazing accommodation specialist team in school,” she said. “I give them all the props, because I would have not had the success I had growing up and in school without their help. I decided this is what I want to do; I want to help kids who learn differently because I learn differently.”
She found her path at Saint Mary’s University within the education program and graduated this spring with an undergraduate degree in educational studies. Read the full story.