In 1988, Julie Stucky graduated from Lake Orion High School. Now, 20 years later, she will start the school year in her new position, serving the district as the Director of Special Education.
Stucky, who holds degrees from Western Michigan University, Oakland University and Wayne State University, first started her teaching career in Hazel Park as a special education teacher. She worked there for four years before coming to Lake Orion and opening the district’s first autistic program.
Two years later, Stucky was promoted to district-wide consultant, and then to supervisor of special education, which she served as for three years. Last year, she filled in as the interim Director of Special Education, before being promoted to the position permanently last month.
‘This is something I’ve always wanted to do,? Stucky said. ‘I wanted to be part of the impact of individualizing student needs.?
Stucky wants to ensure all students with disabilities get what they need.
‘We need to make sure Lake Orion staff have the skills they need to provide for students,? she added.
Stucky said she had the best experiences as a student in Lake Orion schools and hopes to help provide that to all Lake Orion students.
‘It’s such a pleasure to come back and help to make sure all the students have a piece of what I did,? she said. ‘I loved school.?
‘Every child should have a positive educational experience,? Stucky added.
According to Stucky, open communication is extremely important and she hopes to work the staff, students, parents and community to ensure student success.
‘Together we need to do this,? she said. ‘I can’t do it by myself. We have the best teachers ? they can’t do it by themselves. It takes all of us.?
Stucky and her husband of 12 years, Steve, live in Lake Orion with their daughter Alexis, a fifth grader at Carpenter Elementary.
Stucky thanked her husband, daughter and her parents, Diane and Dave Dewey, who still live in Lake Orion, for all of their support.
‘I’m dedicated to Lake Orion students,? Stucky added. ‘I knew I wanted to come back to Lake Orion and I did, and now I’m here to stay.?