A local teacher dedicated to making a difference has received recognition for his work.
Todd Wilson, Special Education teacher, has been named Thomas County Central High School “Teacher of the Year” for the 2014-2015 school year.
“If you want to change the world go into teaching,” he said. “If you want to make a difference, go into Special Education.”
Wilson started his teaching career with Thomas County Schools. He began working at TCCHS in August 2006. It’s his ninth year with the school and Wilson said winning the honor is “an incredible feeling.”
“It’s almost overwhelming,” he said. “Over the past several days I have received countless handshakes, hugs, emails, texts, and phone calls all congratulating me. I almost feel unworthy. We have many great inspiring teachers working at Thomas County Central. All are very deserving of this award. I wish every teacher could experience the same thing.”
Wilson knew he was a finalist, along with three other teachers, but said “it was a complete shock when the principal and all the administrators came into my room to announce that I had won.”
Wilson’s students call him “Coach Wilson” (he is a football and track coach for Thomas County Middle School and a varsity swim coach at TCCHS).
Senior Chris Johns, who said Wilson’s class is “the best class I’ve ever been in,” thinks it’s great his teacher won.
“When he won, that was the first time I have ever seen tears in Coach Wilson’s eyes,” Johns said.
Senior Joy McCullers said Wilson helps students with their work and “makes our work fun.” She “almost cried happy tears” when Wilson won.
Wilson began his teaching career as a resource and inclusion math Special Education teacher. He obtained certification in Adaptive Special Education, and then transferred into a self-contained Adaptive Special Education classroom, a setting he’s worked in for seven years.
“Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities,” Wilson explained. “They adapt the general education curriculum and teach a wide range of subjects, such as reading, writing, science, social studies and math, to students with mild and moderate disabilities.”
They also use a variety of teaching methods to help their students learn, including small-group work, problem-solving skills, and individualized instruction, he said.
Wilson believes his dedication to Special Education is what made him stand out.
“A lot of people don’t know or understand what all we do as Special Education teachers,” he said. “I believe Special Education is a wonderful platform to inform people about the lives we touch in education each day.”
The teacher said, “special need individuals have always had a special place in my heart.” The most important lesson Wilson wants to teach his students is “they matter.”
“I want to make the kids feel valued and be confident that they can contribute to our society in some capacity,” he said. “All people deserve the opportunity to gain employment and derive self-satisfaction through completion of their goals. It is a joy to see students gain new insights and learn about themselves simply because they can see I believe in them.”
His students feel the same toward their teacher. They say Wilson makes a positive impact in their lives.
“Coach Wilson is very nice and he keeps me out of trouble,” junior Santiyanna Ousley said. “When I need help, he makes time to help me. I like to do work and Coach Wilson makes it easy for me to understand. He is the best teacher I know.”
Senior Forrest Charles likes Wilson’s class because “he is funny” and “the best.”
Fellow senior Ricky Hobbs also praised his teacher. He said Wilson “makes us do a lot of work like math and reading” but “we have a good time.”
Jalisha Cox, also a senior, said not only is Wilson “the best teacher in the world,” but he also brightens her day.
“Sometimes when I’m sad, Coach Wilson makes me happy and feel better,” she said.
Wilson said teaching special need students allows him to help “shape and impact their views, and increase their understanding to become active lifelong learners, no matter their circumstance.”
“When they truly believe they can learn, they will believe they can do anything they set their mind to,” he said.
Wilson also forms bonds with students and their parents that continue after high school graduation.
“We invite former students and their parents to return to participate in special activities and continue to be a part of my classroom and Thomas County Central,” he said.
Wilson considers being able to teach special need students “one of the greatest blessings” of his professional career.
“Special education provides me with the opportunity to love and appreciate others regardless of their capabilities or behavior,” he said. “As teachers, we need to treasure all students for the unique individuals they are. Taking the opportunity to work with students for an extended period of time can be a huge confidence builder for them. Once you know a student's strengths and weaknesses, no one is better equipped to help them than you.”