Nominated by: DeJuan Lamar

The structured learning classroom (SLC) is a subsection of the school for many reasons but it takes a special kind of teacher to be able to manage and fulfill the daily goals associated with ensuring that each special needs child, with their own particular requirements, received not only the care and attention that they need to thrive in a school setting but to ensure that their educational needs are met as well. I introduce to you Mrs. Trisha Lopez, a dedicated SLC teacher from Columbia Elementary of Madison, Alabama. How she manages her small classroom that is high in demand, with grace, is something no one who admires special education teachers should ignore. My son who is diagnosed as nonverbal with level 3 Autism and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a child that would have been homeschooled based on the severity of his diagnoses; however, the comfort of knowing that he is in good hands and will be taken seriously when it comes to his academics is why I continue to keep him enrolled at Columbia Elementary. What more can a parent ask for whenever they drop off their nonverbal child that his body language is filled with confidence whenever he sees his teacher heading towards him to take him to class. To add, outside of school she is still involved in his life. She knows his favorite shows, characters, and personal/family dynamics/matters. She stays in the know with the purpose of being able to give him the best chance at succeeding in a school setting. This is the second school year that he has Mrs. Lopez as his SLC teacher. As for the last school year, she did not stop at challenging his capabilities to be in the school environment nor did she stop at engaging his interest in academics because she truly believed in him. Although the SLC setting comes with an extra load of effort to guide these students, she seems to do it effortlessly. I was so impressed by her dedication and drive to meet not only my son’s needs but his classmates too. Out of curiosity, I asked Mrs. Lopez how long she has been teaching, and she casually responded with over a decade as if she has a whole lot more to learn. That’s when it hit me that she isn’t aware that her skills are one of a kind within the special education field. Picture watching someone doing a juggling act before you. Your first thought is how are they able to keep the rotation going while adding other items into the rotation and doing it so flawlessly…that’s Mrs. Lopez. Plus, her teaching style meets the needs of the students and not the other way around. This is what makes her classroom experience so productive on so many levels. My son has matured not only behaviorally, socially, academically, but also verbally. Coming from spending most of his days at school for much of his weeks, the positive results stem from her effective teaching approach to being a Special Education Teacher for my son. To add, by being a successful teacher within the SLC section of the school a high level of dedicated team players is needed. For example, there is the school psychologist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, general education teacher, special elective (Spanish, Stem, Music, Art) teachers, PE coaches, and the principal and her assistant principals are all a part of my son’s thriving experience as a student at Columbia Elementary. It takes an immense amount of leadership skills to build and maintain a dynamic team all for one child to be a successful student despite his diagnosis. To have the fuel to set a goal for a special needs child, implement the goal, and analyze the outcome, it takes believing in the student first. Mrs. Lopez’s approach to teaching has had an inspirational impact on my son. He comes home from school more self-assured and intelligently mature than the day before. Some days he is confident, talkative, calm, playful, or excited. Moreover, he attempts to communicate in length, he has applied techniques to pace himself, and he takes the time to listen to others speak. If you are aware of the world of Autism, ADHD, and being nonverbal these small steps are massive milestones. And this extremely condensed story only gives you a glimpse into what Mrs. Lopez gives my son each day he attends school. And now, with the beginning of this school year, it is starting off with the same passion and drive that I have come to expect from Mrs. Lopez’s work ethics. Another successful school year is near and ready to be recognized for the books.