Q&A: Carla Carper Helps Struggling Students Achieve Their Goals

The North Canton Area Chamber, Westfield Bank and Starbucks congratulate Carla Carper, March’s “Educator of the Month” award winner. 

The monthly award honors a North Canton City Schools staff member who exemplifies excellence in education in their interaction with students, parents and other staff members.

Carper is an intervention specialist at Orchard Hill Intermediate School in her first year of full-time service following long-term substitute work. Principal Renee Manse says Carla’s passion and strength carry over to her work with the children, encouraging each of them to reach their personal best.

Name: Carla Carper
Town of residence: Louisville but just recently moved into North Canton this past fall
Family: Richard Carper, father; Colleen Pelasky, sister; and Kevin Carper, brother
Education: I went to Walsh University for my undergrad from 2007 - fall of 2010 and graduated summa cum-laude with an early childhood intervention specialist degree (Pre K-3) with a reading endorsement (K-12). I am currently getting my master's in curriculum and instruction at Malone University, where I am also the graduate assistant for the women's volleyball team.

North Canton Patch: What does it mean to be an intervention specialist, and how did you find yourself in that career?

 Carper: To me being an intervention specialist means I am the teacher, along side the regular education teacher, who is going to help the students that are struggling in the regular classroom achieve their goals and to prepare them for the real world. I am the extra boost of help not only the students get but the regular education teachers get as well. I always say I need to clone myself because every teacher could use extra help in the classroom. I found myself in this career because I enjoy working with the special education students. It takes a lot of patience and determination to work with these students but the results are very rewarding. 

North Canton Patch: As an educator, you serve as a role model for a lot of these kids, and I wanted to ask who did you look up to growing up, or even now, who do you find inspiration in?

Carper: Growing up I had many admirable teachers throughout my educational career, but the person that sticks out most in my mind was my favorite elementary school teacher Mrs. Chris Stupeck. Not only was I in her class in first grade, but I had the opportunity to come back 15 years later and substitute teach as an intervention specialist in her classroom for about a month. Now, at Orchard Hill, I find the teachers whose classrooms I am in to be an inspiration. Lori Anderson, Tammy Ledgerwood, Tracy Young and Jen Tarbet have been amazing teachers to work with this year. I have learned so much from them about their styles of teaching and their little tricks in the classroom. My inspiration isn't just limited to these teachers, either, since everyone in the building is a veteran teacher, they have all been my mentor in some way. 

North Canton Patch: What do you love most about what you do?

Carper: I absolutely love the feeling you get when a child understands a concept or shows growth in their learning. Also when a child says "Hi!" to me in the hallway or becomes excited about learning is rewarding as well. All of these things go to show that I have had an impact on their life in some way. Whether it be a smile in the hallway or helping them become better readers, I have made a difference in their lives.

North Canton Patch: Your funniest, most embarrassing or most memorable moment you’ve had teaching here?

Carper: I could make a book from even just the short period of time I have been teaching or substitute teaching of all the hilarious statements students have made but this is the most current memory. I had recently had surgery after tearing my ACL at volleyball practice so I had to wear a leg brace for over three months. This past week, I was told by the doctor I didn't have to wear my leg brace anymore since my leg was healing up nicely. I had a third grader come up to me in the hallway and ask me "Aren't you the lady that wears that leg thingy?" I chuckled and said I was but now the doctor said I don't have to wear it anymore. I introduced myself as Miss Carper and walked away. I laughed because the kids that didn't know me from having them in class knew me as the "Leg Brace Lady" or the "Teacher with the Leg Thingy."

North Canton Patch: What do you think sets the North Canton City School District apart from others?

Carper: First, I think the superior staff sets North Canton apart from other schools districts. I have felt more welcome here with the staff than when I have been anywhere else throughout my college and substitute teaching career. The obvious goal of each teacher is to help the children grow, but another goal is they each help each other blossom in their own teaching by sharing ideas, lessons, resources and websites with one another. Second of all, the ability for each teacher to adapt to all the changes being thrown at them, on top of still making progress with students, and wearing a million different hats throughout the day sets our staff apart from others. Our school recently got new SMARTBoards and the teachers were eager to set up their own time to learn on how to properly use the new technology in their room. Finally, involvement we not only have in after school activities such as sports, academic and fine arts clubs but throughout the community is astounding. From donating clothes and food to needy families, having art exhibits set up at the local library or getting families together for PACES day, North Canton is always involved with students, parents and the community in some way.