At Kelly Education, we’re proud to celebrate the people who show up every day to make a difference. We’re shining a light on Shayla Hill, a paraeducator at Muscle Shoals Middle School, who was named Paraprofessional of the Year for the state of Alabama.
Her journey into education wasn’t traditional—but it might be exactly why she’s making such a powerful impact. In fact, she enjoys teaching so much that she’s now considering getting a degree to become a certified special education teacher.
We sat down with her to talk about how she got started, what she loves most, and advice for others considering this rewarding role.
I started in the corporate world working in business development and sales and marketing. After layoffs forced a reset, I decided I didn’t want that type of career anymore. I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my daughter’s childhood by working 60 hours a week and traveling all the time.
I found Kelly Education and started to work at my daughter’s school because the hours were flexible. I was pleasantly surprised how much I fell in love with teaching. It really is a passion. I wish more people would give it a try.
Looking back, I see that even in my corporate career, I gravitated toward helping others by teaching, training, and mentoring.
When I wake up and I'm going into work at the school, I know I’m going to impact these children's lives. I know they are going to leave better than they came in.
We have a dedicated room to support the students with special needs. It's a little bit quieter, a little less crowded. It’s a space where students can focus, ask questions, and build confidence with individualized attention.
Many of these students get nervous in front of their peers. So, this is a safe space.
I tell them that I don’t know everything. I will help you, but I need you to help me. We can learn this together. It’s a mindset that builds trust—and confidence. When adults are humble enough to say we don’t know everything, it makes it a lot easier for us to boost them up.
I was hesitant about going to work at the middle school because I do think middle schoolers get a bad reputation.
However, I fell for these students. They’re in such a pivotal time of their life and we can make such an impact… I see them changing daily and maturing.
If you’re thinking about working with any kind of special needs children, I would implore you to look at that further especially if you feel drawn to helping others.
While the work requires patience and dedication, it offers a level of reward that’s hard to find elsewhere. Even the most challenging days here… are still better than the best days working anywhere else.
Working in schools is a rewarding job. Are you ready to make a difference? Complete our brief interest form, and one of our recruiters will share more about applying. You can also learn more by reading our complete guide to becoming a substitute teacher.