Today’s #HCSHeroes Spotlight is Desiree Oliver, a 6th grade exceptional education teacher and case manager at Tyner Middle Academy. Ms. Oliver, who is a second year teacher with Hamilton County Schools, works to ensure exceptional education students have a positive educational experience.
“My son is one of Ms. Oliver’s students, and I was feeling really uneasy about the transition between elementary and middle school,” said Tammy Parks, a parent. “My son is autistic and mostly nonverbal. When COVID hit, I knew we would be keeping him home for the first semester. I had no idea how it would all work. As his teacher and case manager, Ms. Oliver has advocated for Marlon and has gone above and beyond to ensure he has a positive educational experience. As the leader of the exceptional education department at Tyner Middle, she has made near impossible schedules work for classes and services.”
Mrs. Parks adds, “She is kind and just an amazing person and teacher. I am grateful for all she does for her students and easing this mom’s fear for her son.”
In addition to being the 6th grade exceptional education teacher and case manager, Ms. Oliver also teaches Intensive Service to students, and is the Department Chair for the Exceptional Education team. Ms. Oliver serves on the hospitality committee, the school's Leadership Team, RTI team, and RTI-2B team for behaviors. She tutors twice a week after school for students through a program called Tech Town, and tutors once a week after school for other students who are not part of Tech Town.
On top of a busy workload, Ms. Oliver has also had to reexamine how she supports and encourages her students and families in the wake of COVID-19.
“I have offered non-school hour support for my students and their families due to the challenges faced because of COVID,” said Ms. Oliver. “It is a learning curve for not only families, and students but for staff as well. My students understand that I'm learning new ways just as they are for this new way of teaching. In all my classes I do the hybrid model of having students face-to-face and on Zoom at the same time. I had to revamp my lessons so they could support my students who needed hands on learning at school and at home during virtual days. I use the Remind App and send daily texts to all my parents to keep them informed of tutoring, school, events, and their child's grades.”
Ms. Oliver adds, “I have a passion for seeing students see their abilities and not their disabilities. I enjoy forming relationships with all students in my building, not only Ex. Ed. students. I pride myself on the ability to get through to even the toughest students when others cannot. ”
The efforts of our teachers and staff are truly heroic, and we are proud to have people like Ms. Oliver on our team to support our students!
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