April 2, 2025
At St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, our dedicated team members go above and beyond to provide compassionate care and support for our young patients. This month, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on Joanna Eng, a Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT), whose passion and dedication make a meaningful impact on the lives of the children she works with.
Joanna’s commitment to individualized learning and developmental progress is truly inspiring. With years of experience in the field, she has found a professional home at St. Mary’s, where teamwork and support have allowed her to thrive. In this interview, Joanna shares what she finds most rewarding about her work, what makes St. Mary’s a unique and supportive employer, and her advice for those looking to build a career in special education.
Let’s get to know Joanna!
What do you find most rewarding about working at St. Mary’s?
“When you visit the St. Mary’s website, you immediately see across the top of the page: ‘Where big hearts help little patients.’ As a SEIT, I find it so rewarding that I am able to work with students on an individual basis to help with their academic, social, and emotional development. Working closely with the students, you develop a special bond with each one of them. It is rewarding to see these ‘little patients’ make progress and reach developmental milestones.”
In your opinion, what sets St. Mary’s apart from other employers in the industry?
“Prior to joining the St. Mary’s family, I had worked as a SEIT for a few other agencies. As a SEIT, I often felt alone. There were many times when I felt I was not getting the guidance and supervision I needed when working with students. What I love about St. Mary’s is the close-knit relationship I have with the team, including Carol Park, Jaqueline Lo, and Jean Steins. They really make me feel invaluable. They are always available to answer all questions I have – no matter how big or small. Their response time is always within a 24 hour period, if not immediate! They provide so much support – whether it be making recommendations on strategies to use with my students, providing onsite supervision, helping to obtain materials to use with my students, administering assessments, and laying out the timeline to get students the appropriate services they may need.”
What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field or looking to advance their career?
“You are constantly learning and evolving as a SEIT. The best way to get into this field is through hands-on experience working with children with special needs. Seek opportunities to volunteer, intern, or work at schools, clinics, or community programs that service children with disabilities. Learn to collaborate and communicate with others. SEIT’s work with a network: parents, classroom teachers, related service providers, social workers, and school psychologists. It is so important to collaborate and communicate effectively so the student’s needs are met.”
