LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Brittany Lyons was nominated by Cheryl Gage.

"Special education teachers are expected to do quite a lot. My son’s special education teacher, Mrs. Lyons, assesses students’ skills to determine their needs. Then, she develops teaching plans, organizes and assigns activities that are specific to each student’s abilities, and teaches and mentors students as a class, in small groups, and one-on-one. She also writes individualized education plans in parent-friendly language," explains Gage.

"Mrs. Lyons must know and apply the dozens of acronyms used in her field: ADA (American with Disabilities Act), DOR (Department of Rehabilitation), LEA (local education agency), PDD (pervasive developmental disorder), and LRE (least restrictive environment), to name just a few. I see her work firsthand as a parent, and I’m awestruck by her energy, empathy, and excitement," said Gage.

Mrs. Lyons accepts every student as they are. Students come to her with packages and baggage. She treats them gently with kindness, respect, and understanding as she builds a relationship. It takes time, and she is patient.

She actively listens to her students. Every student will have their own unique problem or something they perceive to be a problem, but she listens to them and helps find a solution. She never minimizes their problem, experience, or situation.

Mrs. Lyons is always prepared to break down a lesson and create pieces of learning. She easily explains classwork to her students and makes sure that they understand the lessons. She takes her time.

"Mrs. Lyons has never been disrespectful to me as a parent. She shares needed information with us, and when she talks to me, she offers specific positives and exact concerns about my son’s abilities. She makes her students feel loved. The importance of building relationships can’t be overstressed," said Gage.

Special education teachers are experts in the philosophy of differentiation. They employ it as a mindset needed to teach well. Demonstrating for one student how to apply a strategy will benefit all students in her class.

"Her patience is her best virtue. All students in school require patience, but some need a little more than others. Have you heard her laugh? It’s one of the things that I like best about her. She has a loving heart with a wonderful personality that shines through," said Gage.