A familiar face is working with as many as a dozen Boothbay Region High School special education students this year. Adam Harter-Ives began working with local students three years ago in Boothbay Region Elementary School’s special education department as an education technician.

This year, Harter-Ives achieved his professional goal of becoming a full-time teacher. He teaches in a newly created position at BRHS as a special education teacher. Harter-Ives teaches between 8-12 students on a daily basis who have been diagnosed with a learning disability. He pursued a career in special education several years ago living in Ohio. The College of Wooster (Wooster, Ohio) graduate has an English degree. He began substitute teaching in Ohio and discovered a passion for teaching special needs students.

“I came into this later in life in my thirties,” Harter-Ives said. “I began substituting in special education classes and enjoyed working with kids with special needs which led me to pursuing it as a career.”

Harter-Ives moved to his wife’s hometown of Bristol five years ago. The couple have a two year old son. He began working at BRES three years ago. This year, BRHS added a new special education position which opened an opportunity for Harter-Ives to achieve his goal.

“It’s a chance to work with the same group of kids. I’ve enjoyed working with them and this gives me a chance to see them successfully through high school,” he said. “Being a kid has enough challenges. So for those who have extra challenges and need more attention, I like being someone helping them to succeed.”

Harter-Ives teaches students in both one-on-one and in small group sessions.