From Teaching Assistant to Certified Teacher: How Niccole Maloney Found Her Calling at the Easterseals Learning Academy

The Easterseals Learning Academy (ESLA) in Germantown Hills, Illinois, provides a highly-individualized educational experience for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delays, and other learning differences. Currently serving 44 students across 6 classrooms from kindergarten through high school, ESLA partners with 25 school districts across Illinois to provide placement for students who have not yet been successful in their home districts—with the goal of helping them transition back when ready.

Each student’s education is guided by an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and supported through a blend of academic instruction, behavior strategies, and integrated occupational, physical, and speech therapies. Students also benefit from hands-on experiences that build independence and real-world readiness—such as grocery shopping, job and life skills practice in the Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES) lab, and participation in community and holiday events, field trips, and the Best Buddies program with Metamora Township High School.

Family and caregiver partnership is a cornerstone of ESLA’s approach, with regular communication, collaborative goal setting, and transition planning to ensure every student’s progress is celebrated and supported. Creativity and play-based engagement are also central to the ESLA philosophy.

For Special Education Teacher and Licensed Behavior Specialist Niccole Maloney, that philosophy is more than a teaching model — it’s a calling. Over nearly eight years with ESLA, Niccole has grown from a classroom aide to a licensed teacher, finding both purpose and joy in helping students express themselves, connect with others, and reach new milestones.

Niccole’s journey with Easterseals Central Illinois began long before she became a teacher. “When the school opened up, I donated some kids’ books and I really liked the feel of the school when I went in,” Niccole recalls. “My daughter started kindergarten that year and I decided to start subbing and once I started, I was hooked! I loved the students, the teaching style and getting to work in all of the rooms and getting to know all of the kids.”

That first experience turned into a full-time position as a floating aide, and Niccole also began teaching art lessons to students each week. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Niccole transitioned into a one-on-one aide role and decided to continue her education. “I went back to school in 2023 to become a teacher,” she says proudly.

Growing Through Opportunity

Niccole’s path from aide to teacher is a testament to Easterseals Central Illinois’ commitment to helping employees grow their careers while working in the field.
 

“I really enjoyed supporting the classroom teacher, working with students and seeing progression,” Niccole says. “I worked in many rooms with many different teachers and learned a lot. I saw lots of things I wanted to implement that would benefit the students, but I needed to learn a lot more to do those things, so I went back to school.”

Niccole enrolled in the Pulse Program through Illinois State University, which allows paraprofessionals to earn their special education degree while continuing to work full time.

“I was one of the members of the inaugural Pulse Program, my cohort was the first graduating class!" Niccole recalls. "The Pulse Program, through ISU, allows paraprofessionals working in the field to get their special education teaching degree while working. As a single working mom, this was the best option for me and allowed me to apply so much of what I was learning to the students in my classroom.”

Celebrating Every Milestone

For Niccole, the most rewarding part of teaching is witnessing her students’ growth and celebrating every success along the way.

“When students do something new, or something challenging it is amazing and should be celebrated, no matter how big or small,” Niccole says. “I have seen so many great milestones, from nonspeaking students using their [Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)] devices to request tickles, to students ordering their food and paying independently at a restaurant, and we celebrate it all!”

One of Niccole’s most meaningful memories came last year. “My student Charlie Jane graduated 8th grade, gave a speech in front of the school and was interviewed on the news. That was just a huge moment, as she was diagnosed as non-verbal and she's worked so hard to find her voice and I just could not be prouder of her.”

Art, Expression, and Connection

When you walk through the ESLA facility, you’ll notice the bright, colorful murals that fill the hallways — whimsical scenes of trains, unicorns, and animals that make the school come alive. Those murals are all Niccole's handiwork.

“I studied studio art in college, with an emphasis in drawing,” Niccole says. “I have been painting murals and drawing and painting portraits for years, and I love doing arts and craft projects. My mom and I had a little art studio (Potting Shed Art Studio) that taught kids and adult art classes for about eight years.”

Niccole’s murals at ESLA are inspired by the students themselves.

“I try to think about what the kids in our school really like, so murals are bright and colorful and larger than life, with hidden pictures and things they enjoy. The sensory gym was a really fun one and I put lots of things the kids like, trains, unicorns, animals, etc.”

And she’s not done yet — Niccole is already dreaming up her next large-scale project, a new mural at Timber Pointe Outdoor Center’s Pool House.

“I am thinking something big and colorful with lots of nature elements, but I still need to get with [Camp Director] Lydia [Gartner] and the Timber Pointe team to get their ideas! I am very excited to get to work on it!” Niccole says.

A Team That Feels Like Family

What Niccole loves most about her job goes beyond the art or the academics — it’s the people she works alongside every day.

“I love our school team; we all work together with a common goal of the students’ success,” Niccole says. “My classroom team is a bunch of rock stars, we work hard, support one another and stay very busy all day. Each person has specific talents, some are good at math, others are creative, others are really good at doing voices, so we utilize those talents in our lessons. I love working with our students as well, they make every day exciting.”

Niccole's message to anyone thinking about joining the ESLA team is simple: “Do it! We need people who are passionate about supporting students, and there is no place like ESLA! We have a really fun team, we do potlucks, fun field trips and spirit weeks and we have a lot of fun at work.”

As Niccole continues to nurture creativity, connection, and confidence in her students and teammates, she embodies the heart of Easterseals Central Illinois — empowering both students and staff to reach their fullest potential.