La Porte has been home to Stefanie Tibbs for nearly her entire life. It’s where her earliest memories took root — summer days spent fishing and camping with her grandparents. Those quiet hours in nature sparked a lifelong love for the outdoors and a deep appreciation for simplicity.
Today, Tibbs channels that same patience and care into a different environment: the classroom. As a paraprofessional at Kesling Intermediate School, she works closely with students in the life skills program, helping them face everyday challenges and celebrate small victories.
“Inclusion means a lot to me,” Tibbs said. “When I was a student, I never really saw kids from life skills programs. Now, I get to work with them every day and see how amazing they are. They deserve to be part of everything.”
Her passion for inclusion comes from a personal place. Growing up, Tibbs often felt out of step with the world around her. She struggled with self-image and the unrealistic expectations shaped by the media and society.
“If I could talk to my younger self, I’d tell her not to care so much about what people think,” Tibbs said. “It’s easy to lose yourself when you’re constantly comparing, but we’re all meant to be different.”
The belief that everyone belongs has been a guiding principle for Tibbs throughout her life. She originally planned to become a nurse, but life led her down another path. After volunteering in her mother’s classroom and raising her own children, Tibbs found herself drawn to education.
“I’ve always been drawn to caring for people,” Tibbs said. “Even though I didn’t finish nursing school, this role gives me a chance to support others in a meaningful way.”
She credits Taylor Stafford, the teacher she currently works with, for helping her grow both professionally and personally.
“Taylor is incredibly patient and kind,” Tibbs said. "Working with her has helped me learn to be more understanding with not just my students, but with my own kids at home."
Tibbs began her career in education more than a decade ago at Boston Middle School. After taking time off to be a stay-at-home mom, she returned to the classroom about five years ago and hasn’t looked back.
The work isn’t always easy. Like many caregivers, Tibbs has faced moments of doubt and uncertainty. Her husband, John, has been her steady source of support through it all.
“There were times when I questioned if I was doing the right thing,” Tibbs said. “He always reminded me why I started and kept me grounded.”
Outside of school, Tibbs enjoys spending time with her family. She often cheers on her son at baseball games and finds quiet comfort in reading, painting, and writing.
Looking at the community she’s called home for nearly 40 years, Tibbs sees a town changing for the better.
“We’re expanding, and people seem open to it,” Tibbs said. “La Porte still feels like home, but it’s evolving in good ways.”
For Tibbs, the most important part of her work is making sure every student feels valued and accepted, which is something she wished for herself growing up.
“Everyone deserves to feel like they belong,” Tibbs said. “That’s really what it comes down to.”