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YOUNGSTOWN -- Joe Steiner of Boardman said he is thrilled to be working at Potential Development Elementary / Middle School in Youngstown, a school with the stated purpose to "create brighter futures for students with autism."
Steiner said his future brightened when he was hired at Potential Development. He is the first former student to become staff.
"I am so glad to be back at Potential Development where I can serve the teachers who helped me so much," Steiner said. "It's nice to be back to my roots."
EARLY DIAGNOSIS
Steiner was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3 and was enrolled in special needs preschool and kindergarten class. From first through seventh grades, he was enrolled at Potential Development in Youngstown.
Then in eighth through 10th grades, he attended Boardman High School, which he says "was awesome. … I felt good about attending Boardman High School and adjusted well to being a student there."
During 11th grade, he also was enrolled in the early childhood education program at Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, and in 12th grade, he switched to the MCCTC hospitality management program.
Steiner's mom, Kristin, 47, has a great deal of experience with autistic children. Her older son, Anthony, 21, also registered on the autism spectrum. He was diagnosed at age 3 and attended an early intervention preschool.
Joe Steiner followed the same path.
Kristin Steiner's first reaction to hearing her son's diagnosis of autism was, "That can't be. I didn't know much about it. I denied it, but in time I began to want to learn more."
Joe Steiner was enrolled in a special education classroom at an elementary school, but his mother noticed he was becoming agitated and upset. She asked if she could observe him in the classroom and discovered that, while they were doing their best, they were unable to meet Steiner's needs.
"I looked at Potential Development and found that it was a place where he could peacefully learn, and that was exciting. I saw so much understanding at Potential Development."
STUDENT TO STAFF
At school, Joe Steiner quickly formed a bond with his teachers. The highlight of his day was seeing Miss Shannon, who works as a teaching assistant. She was in his first classroom at Potential Development and they still have a friendly connection. Steiner shadowed her before being hired.
Steiner's favorite activity while being a student was going on field trips and riding the bus with his friends. They made trips to the zoo, the experimental farm, a pumpkin farm and to the YMCA.
"The fear of autism is wondering, 'How will they act when you take them outside of the school?'" Kristin Steiner said. "But the field trips ended up being safe, meaningful experiences where Joe and the other students learned how to act in a community setting."
Holly Hahn, program coordinator for the elementary school at Potential Development, said, "When Joe did his shadowing, he was so enthusiastic. I felt like hiring him would be a great opportunity for our school. He is making a difference in the lives of students."
Steiner is technically considered an "educational float," which means he assists teachers with whatever is needed.
"He reads to students, grades papers, helps prepare lessons, helps with large group activities," Hahn said. "Joe assists with academic as well as fun activities."
Hahn said that Steiner is outgoing and not afraid. "He has confidence and is an asset to the school. We have teachers fighting for him."
Kristin Steiner said, "Working at PD is challenging but a joy for Joe, as he is able to showcase his strengths."
POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
Steiner's employment represents the first time a previous student came back to work in a professional capacity at the facility.
"He is a reminder to the other students of opportunities that are available to them," Hahn said.
Paul Garchar, Potential Development's CEO, has been in that position for 22 years. He supervises three schools: a preschool on East Indianola Avenue with an enrollment of 31; an elementary / middle school on Market Street with an enrollment of 113; and a high school on Market Street with an enrollment of 97.
Garchar said he is most proud of the fact that the school can take an individual approach to every student.
"We are large enough to serve students at every level of the autism spectrum," he said.
Garchar said that every student who comes to Potential Development has an individual educational planning team which consists of the parents, staff and students from their local school district, which enables them to work on specific goals.
"We can teach reading, math and science in addition to addressing specific needs which the student has -- we become their educational provider."
Once the child has the formal diagnosis of autism, we work with them," he said.
Garchar said the best part of his job is seeing individual growth in each student. "We're here when they say their first words and we see them through various milestones. We are a big part of their lives and can see them accomplish great things.
"Joe is the proof that the program works," he said.
FITTING IN
Steiner said that his two brothers and his parents are proud of him and feel good about him working at Potential Development.
"It was my passion to work here; my dream came true," he said.
When asked "What did you see in Joe that made you want to hire him?" Garchar said, "He is very friendly, outgoing and has an attention to detail. We thought Joe would be a good fit."