LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Tessa Thomas was nominated by an anonymous colleague.

Mrs. Thomas has always had a heart for children. She began making a difference in students' lives by putting her own career on hold to foster special needs children in her husband's family who needed help. Instead of going to strangers in the foster care system, these children were raised in a loving home for 10 years. At a time when most young adults are still on their honeymoon, in college, living in a carefree manner, and enjoying their freedom (which was her plan), Mrs. Thomas was doing homework, packing lunches, attending parent conferences and IEP meetings, and trying to get counseling for students who were in need of coping skills and therapy. 

Mrs. Thomas later returned to college after giving up several scholarships for the good of her family. At this point, she still had one special needs foster child at home and a young infant who would eventually be diagnosed with autism. She primarily took online classes so she could save money on childcare and make herself available to her infant and foster son. She also tutored children in the community who needed help in high school math subjects, reading, and writing. Often times, she tutored children for free.

During her college career, Mrs. Thomas often put her studies on hold to save up money, avoid student loans, work on situations with her children, or deal with challenges in their family. Before completing her degree, her second foster child grew up and moved out. She also had a second baby who was diagnosed with autism. Eventually, she completed her teaching degree to find there were few teaching jobs in her area. She worked as a long term substitute, special education paraprofessional, and eventually as a special education teacher. 

From the beginning, Mrs. Thomas showed an amazing ability to connect with students. She was given the classes where students had emotional needs or behavioral challenges from the first day, and she always rose to the challenge.

"I have watched her teach students who were completely unable to write their name. By the end of the year, they were reading books and writing paragraphs," said her nominator. "I've also seen her work with students on coping skills. She makes sure they can succeed in a regular classroom, when previously, they were not able to last a full school day in a small group room. She always stays calm, no matter what a student does or says, and she fights for what they need!"

Mrs. Thomas is also skilled at understanding parent concerns. As a special needs parent herself, she can often see what her students' parents see and feel what they feel. This allows her to recognize the need or emotion behind whatever is said in a meeting and work for the best interest of her students in a positive way. 

One time, her administrator went to check up on her, and he found a particular student sitting and working productively. This student was known for emotional outbursts that were often violent. The administrator asked him what he was working on and how he liked his teacher. The child looked at him and said, "She makes us work super hard, but she's always smiling at me and really loves me, even when I don't act so good." All students should have a teacher they feel this way about!

After serving as a special education school coordinator for several years in Carroll County, she made the very difficult decision to move to Paulding County Schools in order to teach in a self contained classroom. This allowed her to be home with her son as he transitioned to high school. However, she still mentors new teachers, and she is very active with special education causes through her LinkedIn profile, as well as several autism foundations. She also leads several behavior and management trainings for special needs students in multiple counties. This year, she will graduate with her Ed.S in special education this year. She was recognized for being in the top 10% of her class in her masters program, and she currently has a straight A average in her specialist program, despite all the extra responsibilities she carries. 

"I am thankful that I not only have had the opportunity to work with her, but that I can call her a friend," said her nominator. "I know she would be welcomed eagerly into any position in any district with open arms, and I am thankful she is pursuing opportunities that allow her to be close to students. She is truly a life-changing individual!"