Learn how a teacher helped her student with disabilities get a computer for continuing education with the support of give IT. get IT.
Susanne Isteero personifies kindness and a deep desire to help others. As a Special Education Teacher based in Midcoast Maine, Isteero works with teens through a program called Bridges, which supports students with developmental disabilities by providing specialized day-to-day programming that prepares them for life beyond high school.
“I love my work, and it means so much to me to see these kids succeed,” says Isteero.
Fourteen years ago, Susanne and her family moved from Kuwait to Belfast, Maine. “I wanted my seven children to pursue education in the United States and have the opportunities available here,” she explains. When her grandparent’s home became available in Midcoast Maine, they moved in and made it their own.
Isteero quickly became active in the community and secured a job in social services assessment at Maine Medical. Her role required her to gather resources, a skill that led to her current position as a Special Educator.
“My work built on itself,” she notes. As a parent of seven children, her community connections grew, and she constantly kept her eyes and ears open to build her network.
“I remembered hearing about a company that helps people in need by refurbishing computers,” Isteero recalls. “We used to live near the old give IT. get IT. refurbish facility, so I kept it in mind in case I ever needed to help someone access it.”
Solving a Need in the Community
In 2018, Susanne’s family faced a devastating personal tragedy when one of her daughters was killed in a biking accident in front of their home. “It made me want to give more and do more to honor her memory and share the love we have for her,” she shares. She poured herself into her family and the children she supported in her work.
Six years later, Isteero found herself working with five students in her school program, one of whom was accepted to Maine’s STRIVE U. STRIVE U helps students with intellectual disabilities with community living, employment, and post-secondary education at Southern Maine Community College. She and her student were thrilled when he was admitted and set to start college in South Portland in 2024.
She realized that he needed a laptop to succeed in his studies. Recalling the give IT. get IT. resource, she saw an opportunity.
“A seed had been planted all those years ago, and now it was time to access it,” says Isteero.
Getting IT equipment into the hands of students
Isteero reached out to the team at give IT. get IT., who helped her secure financial support from a local Verizon program to supplement the tech and equipment provided by the company.
“We didn’t have the money from the student’s family to pay for a laptop, so the combination of the Verizon scholarship and the equipment from give IT. get IT. helped my student get what he needed to start school. He is so excited,” she shares.
“Programs like this make a huge difference,” Isteero emphasizes. “A little piece here and there contributes in a big way to our students’ success. I couldn’t be happier about it.”
Isteero’s journey from Kuwait to Maine, her commitment to her community, and her relentless efforts to support her students highlight the profound impact of dedicated educators. Her story is a testament to the power of small acts of kindness and the difference they can make in the lives of those around us.
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If you can help us help give the Gift of Technology to deserving people like the students at STRIVE U and Bridges, who are working hard in school and to transition into their communities, we’d be profoundly grateful for your tax-deductible donation to our scholarship fund. Whenever possible, we prefer our “get IT” clients to have some stake in their equipment by contributing to the cost of their computer. When even our modest participation fees are too much for them to bear, our scholarship fund enables us to take a portion or all of the financial weight off their shoulders so they can focus on achieving their goals.
