Shayne Fish never imagined herself going to college. In fact, her high school grades were so poor that she nearly failed out. Yet, nearly a decade later, it was that challenging experience that inspired her to pursue a career in education.
In 2023, Fish earned a bachelor’s degree in special education at Portland State University (PSU) and a Preliminary Teaching License. Shortly after, she was hired as a learning specialist at Rock Creek Middle School, in the North Clackamas School District, where she continues to teach.
“I waited 10 years because I didn't think I'd be a good fit for college,” she says of the time off between high school and higher education.
Personal experience shapes career path
Fish has ADHD that went undiagnosed throughout her school years. High school, she says, was the hardest. She experienced depression that led to missing nearly a month of the school year. But nobody seemed to notice that she was absent and falling behind.
So as Fish began exploring her career options within the broader field of education, special education really resonated. “I could help students who are like me get through school,” she says.
Fish draws additional inspiration from her two younger brothers, who were both recently diagnosed with autism. Seeing their experiences has deepened her commitment to working with students who need extra patience and support.
“I’m really good at being calm, patient and flexible,” she says. “So I felt like I had good strengths for special education, for those kiddos.”
Laying the foundation at PSU
After deciding she was ready to “dip her toes in,” Fish returned to school to earn an associate degree at Clackamas Community College. A friend there, as well as an academic advisor, introduced her to PSU’s special education programs. She was drawn to the undergraduate program’s streamlined path to licensure, allowing her to begin her teaching career without the expense of pursuing a master’s degree.
She also appreciated the camaraderie of going through school with a cohort, who quickly became a valuable support network. “We bonded over being thrust out into a post-COVID teaching world,” she says. “So we can share our struggles and our horror stories.”
During her time at PSU, a fundamentals of teaching math class took Fish by surprise and started to steer her future path.
“It awoke my third eye,” she explains. “I loved every second of it! I still have that textbook in my classroom because it has lesson plans and the pre-skills for math concepts.”
Though challenging, the class left a lasting impact thanks to a professor who set high standards. “He wanted us to be good teachers. He didn’t want to let us go if we were going to be anything less than great,” she says.
Creating connections in the classroom
Now, at Rock Creek Middle School, Fish works with students who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) in her workshop class. She teaches 40 to 45 students throughout the week — 32 of them on her caseload – and covers all subjects including reading, writing, math and social and behavioral skills.
Her goal is to help students bridge the gap between their current abilities and grade-level expectations. “I really love teaching things slowly and with enough detail to help them,” she says. “They tell me constantly that their general education classes go too fast. So I love that we can slow down in my classroom if we have to.”
Fish follows her students as they progress through middle school, allowing her to build lasting relationships. This continuity benefits her students and strengthens their trust. For instance, her presence on a recent school field trip encouraged hesitant students to participate.
“I like that they have someone to help them,” she says.
Addressing the math gap
While Fish is thriving in her role, she recognizes areas where her students need more support, particularly in math.
“Right now, the kiddos I have are taking general education math, and they cannot access it. They’re still learning the basics — finger counting and using tally marks. They’re just not ready for the general education math material,” she explains.
As a self-proclaimed math enthusiast, Fish is brainstorming solutions. She envisions a new math class at Rock Creek that would help students catch up without isolating them from peers their age.
“We have a reading phonics instructor. Why can't we have something similar for math?” she asks.
A vision for the future
To bring her ideas to life, Fish is considering returning to PSU for a math endorsement as well as a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. While she hasn’t set a timeline, she’s excited to continue her education and make a difference.
“The way math works at the school — and I can’t imagine it’s much different elsewhere — I think something needs to change,” she says. “And I’m okay with being a small drop in the change bucket.”