Bronco Spotlight: Josh Starbuck

Josh Starbuck

Master of Arts in special education, 2020

Reading Intervention Teacher at South Haven Public Schools

I teach reading intervention courses at Baseline Middle School in South Haven, Michigan. 

What is the most rewarding and the most challenging part of your job?

The most rewarding part of my job is always the breakthrough moment with a student. You see the light go on, or you see an awesome accomplishment that they have been working toward. The most challenging part of my job is motivating students to want to improve or to buy into and trust the process even though it may be difficult. 

What activities, resources, or people helped you prepare for your career?

Dr. Rao, Dr. Whitten and Dr. Cox in the Special Education program were a huge help to me and an invaluable resource to my success at WMU. Having people that you can go to and truly learn from is so important to success, and those three professors were very helpful to me. 

What advice would you offer students to help them decide on a career path?

To help decide on a career path, I would say that you should ask yourself if you see a future in what you are contemplating. For example, I entered college as a photography major, but shortly after, asked myself if I saw a future in nature photography, and came to the conclusion that I would still pursue it as a hobby, but needed to shift my career plans. Be flexible, and be honest with yourself as you think more long-term with your plans. 

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