As Carly Bill prepares for her 16th year as an educator, her path to teaching is more uncommon than most.

"When I was young, I didn't communicate until I was 4," Bill recalled.

"My parents were told I would be lucky to graduate high school. Because of my mom and dad, who replied to the neurologist 'She will do it,' my mom got me in speech, OT, and physical therapy since I didn't walk correctly on my left side." During that time, Bill said, "I would have to say my Early Childhood teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth Ellis, saw me as any other kid and believed in me. My speech pathologist, Diane Beck, helped me discover my voice and now I can talk nonstop. I am truly grateful for them and my parents for always believing in me when I didn't have a voice." Teaching originally wasn't the career path Bill anticipated.