Molly Wade is beginning her first year at Francis Howell North as a Special Education teacher with a specialization in deaf and hard-of-hearing students. 

“I’m fresh out of graduate school from WashU School of Medicine,” Wade said. “I have a Master’s of Science and deaf education and also a deaf education teaching certificate and a special education certificate as well.”

Wade has known from a young age that she wanted to be an educator. Wade’s family has backgrounds in education, including her grandma being a substitute teacher in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. 

“[My grandma] always told me how important education was and we shouldn’t take it for granted,” Wade said. “Also, my brother has hearing loss so I think growing up with him and seeing his journey with English and everything else, [and] how he struggled to kind of make his own way.”

Wade teaches English I, Success, and Studies. Her English class is tailored towards students in the Special Education program and focuses on mastering one skill at a time. 

“[We’re] creating a community within the classroom for students to know it’s a safe space,” Wade said. “They can come here [for] anything like that.”

Outside of the classroom, however, Wade gives hearing students tips on how to respect the needs of students with hearing loss.

“Just be kind; I mean, they’re already struggling as is with their hearing loss in the hallways,” Wade said. “They probably aren’t going to hear you too well because it’s crazy, noisy, crazy loud.”

Wade ultimately wants her students to feel welcome in her classroom and around the school.

“We’re building friendships, we’re building relationships, and we’re all working towards a common goal, I think is the biggest key takeaway,” Wade said.