Meet Betsy! Betsy is the Lead Special Education Teacher at Shiloh Academy, which consists of multiple educational programs including one specifically for youth with autism. For children with autism, a traditional public school environment may not always be the right fit. Some children have a better educational experience in a smaller, less restrictive environment. At Shiloh Academy we focus on creating the safest learning environment necessary for children so they are able to obtain the education they deserve.
Working with children who have autism can be challenging at times, but with her 15 years of teaching experience, Betsy is well versed in helping our students work through those hard times. “The biggest thing is to have patience and understanding. You may not always know a child’s trigger, they can be upset and yell at you in the moment and then the next second they want to be your best friend.”
In March of 2022, Betsy was awarded the Most Valuable Teacher by the Colorado Avalanche. She is a phenomenal teacher and is such an important part of fostering a positive learning environment at our school. “Everyday I am motivated to help them be successful in school but also throughout their whole life. I had a student graduate high school last year. I have kids right now transitioning back to public school. Overall I just enjoy seeing the growth from where they first started at Shiloh and the progress they’ve made.”
There are a lot of stigmas surrounding individuals with autism. “I think a lot of people who don’t understand autism see these kids as being not smart and only see them for their disability. But these kids are so incredibly intelligent, socially and academically. ”Oftentimes, people who do not have first hand experiences with autism can misunderstand behaviors when a child is overstimulated. “The most important thing is not to take it personally. At that moment when they become upset, anxious, or frustrated, it’s about their feelings and what they are going through. They aren’t trying to take it out on anybody. The biggest thing to remember is that it is not personal.”
Betsy is truly a pillar of what Shiloh House stands for. “I love Shiloh because of their mission and what they stand for. We are helping youth and families so that we can grow together as a community.” For our students at Shiloh Academy, she is a safe place they can fall back on and a constant source of encouragement. For her fellow staff members, she is a mentor and friend. For our community, she is someone working towards a positive change for those in need.
April is National Autism Awareness Month! To learn more about autism check out this blog post today!