Sparta — Samantha Klemm has never wanted to be anything other than a special education teacher, and she’s never wanted to do it anywhere other than at Sparta Area Schools.
Klemm, who teaches students with moderate cognitive impairments at Sparta High School, is a product of the district herself. Not only did she grow up and attend school in Sparta, but her parents work at the high school as well.
Now her kids are Sparta students, too, which makes the district feel all the more like home for Klemm.
“I’ve been teaching in my dream job for 10 years, and Sparta is the only place I’ve ever worked — I wouldn’t want it any other way,” she said. “Being able to teach where I was raised has been an incredible full-circle experience. It’s a blessing to do what I love every day in the school and community I care so much about.”
Why do you teach? “I teach because I love building meaningful connections with my students and helping them grow into confident, independent individuals. It’s an honor to shape their future and ensure they know they are capable and loved.
“My journey into teaching started in high school when my dad, who was the guidance counselor at the time, encouraged me to try experiential learning in the MoCI classroom. … I absolutely fell in love with it. That experience led me to pursue special education at Central Michigan University, and I’ve been living my passion ever since.”
What is your biggest motivator that keeps you excited about teaching? “My biggest motivator is my fabulous students, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to teach them for four years in my MoCI program. Watching them grow, building strong relationships with them and their families, and seeing their joy and excitement to be at school every day is what keeps me passionate about teaching.”
Why teach in a moderate cognitive impairments program? What’s the best thing about it? “Teaching MoCI is incredibly rewarding because it’s all about celebrating progress — no matter how big or small — and seeing the incredible impact it has on my students’ lives.
“The best part is how deeply personal and individualized the work is; every day is different, and I get to creatively support each student’s unique needs and strengths. What’s most interesting is how much my students teach me about resilience, joy, and the beauty of seeing the world through their eyes. It’s a constant reminder of why I love what I do.”
What are some of the biggest challenges in your role and how do you strive to meet them? “Balancing the diverse needs of each student while teaching the entire class as a whole,” Klemm said, noting that, with every student working toward different goals based on individualized education programs, it’s “never a one-size-fits-all classroom.”
“I strive to meet this challenge by relying on efficient systems, an amazing team that supports me daily, and a genuine commitment to doing my best for my students.”
What’s the most amazing, notable or interesting thing about your students? “Their sense of humor; they’re so funny, and we share so many laughs in my classroom. They find joy in the little things and have more love to share than anyone I’ve ever met, which makes every day with them so special.”
‘It’s a blessing to do what I love every day in the school and community I care so much about.’
— teacher Samantha Klemm
What would you say to someone considering teaching as a profession? “If you have a passion for teaching and working with students, you’ll find it incredibly fulfilling. It’s hard work and requires dedication, but the rewards — the connections you build and the impact you make — are absolutely worth it.”
What’s your secret for relating to your students? How do you connect with them? “I love my students, and I make sure they know it. I accept them for who they are, challenge them, and show that I believe in them. Once they feel safe and loved, the connection is real, and that’s when the growth and independence start to take off.”
What’s something you have learned from your students? “I’ve learned so much about acceptance from my students. They never judge, no matter how many mistakes you make or how goofy you might be — they just want to connect and have fun. They don’t care what you look like or whether you’re the smartest in the room; they accept everyone’s differences and abilities with genuine kindness.”
Read more from Sparta:
• Student broadcaster pushes for positive coverage in advisory role
• Mobile Farm Science Lab ‘udder-ly’ engaging
