Excited about beginning her third year of teaching, Julia Deakle is the 9th-12th-grade special education teacher at Fairhope High School.
“At 15 years old, I began volunteering with special education classes at my school, and it was during that experience I felt a strong calling to work with the special needs community,” said Ms. Deakle. “That early connection and sense of purpose inspired me to pursue a career in special education.”
Education is very important to Ms. Deakle. Obtaining both a bachelor’s degree from The University of South Alabama and a master’s degree from Arizona State University, she hopes to continue on to her doctoral program soon. She also values special training specific to her field.
“I attended a professional development training this summer, Gulf Regional Innovative Training Conference (GRITC), that really motivated me,” she shared. “I also enjoy collaborating with other teachers and find that it’s super helpful to get more ideas.”
Working with her students daily ignites many meaningful moments for Ms. Deakle. She explains that noticing progress in areas like confidence, communication, or emotional regulation in students with special needs highlights the broader impact of teaching beyond just academics.
“Every day I have proud teacher moments, but one of my proudest moments came from a student who faced serious challenges both at home and in school. Their behavior was difficult, and despite my efforts, I often felt like I wasn’t making a difference,” Ms. Deakle shared. “But on the last day of school, I found a note from them thanking me for my support throughout the year. That simple gesture reminded me that even when progress isn’t visible, encouragement matters—and sometimes, the impact shows up when you least expect it.”
Meeting her students where they are is very important. Ms. Deskle describes her teaching style as relatable. She also uses a hybrid approach. Her goal is to create a curriculum that meets students where they are and then adapts those methods to fit their unique needs and learning styles.
“I’m passionate about making learning meaningful and relatable,” she shared. “I strive to design every lesson, regardless of the subject, to connect with real-life skills and situations that matter beyond the classroom.”
Her greatest hope is that beyond the classroom, her students will know that no matter what they have been through, it does not have to define them, but instead that it shapes them to achieve their dreams.
Julia Deakle is in the early stages of her teaching career and is honored to have been nominated for the ESP Teacher of the Month Award. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, staying active, being with her dogs, being out on the water, and traveling.
