QUINCY (WGEM) – Baldwin Elementary School teacher Tabbatha Hildebrand was awarded the WGEM Golden Apple Award in April.
This is Hildebrand’s sixth year teaching special education in the Quincy Public School District. She is a teacher in Baldwin’s Autism Program and says it is the perfect fit for her.
“Special ed is one of those jobs that the turnover rate is just so high and I stepped into this role and it was like this is where I’m supposed to be,” Hildebrand said.
Co-workers say Hildebrand’s passion for teaching kids with autism is evident.
“She loves everyone like they are her own child. You can see it everyday. She will put aside education to make sure their needs are met first and just love that student,” Baldwin Autism Program teacher Shanna Lonsberry said.
“24/7 she is thinking about those kids and what she can do to make those opportunities the best. She lives and breathes it everyday,” Baldwin Elementary Academic Leader Tammy Stegeman said.
They say she is creative and loves a challenge, often trying new and different approaches to help her students grow.
“She’s an out of the box thinker. It doesn’t matter how many times she’s going to find the right fit for her students,” Lonsberry explained.
“She works to their strengths and lets them be them and builds them from there,” Baldwin Autism Program paraeducator Chris Todd said.
“I like change, I like new things, I like to try new things and when I see something I think oh man I can really help with this or let’s try this and I do, I do like that,” Hildebrand said.
Hildebrand was instrumental in the creation of Baldwin’s Life Skills Room for students with autism. The small mock up home and grocery store give students a chance to grow necessary skills for everyday life.
“When we work with our students we want independence, whatever that looks like for every single student. It might be to go to the grocery store independently. It might be to have a job. It might be just to change their clothing, but whatever it is our goal is independence, pushing however we can,” Hildebrand said.
Another example of how Hildebrand is always pushing to make herself and those around her better.
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