Turie T. Small Elementary students in Daytona Beach are gearing up to start the 2024-25 school year on Monday. This marks the beginning of a new academic year filled with excitement and anticipation for both students and teachers alike. One teacher who is eagerly awaiting the start of the school year is Mary Tilford, a dedicated educator who has been working in the field of exceptional student education (ESE) for over 30 years.
Mary Tilford’s journey into teaching began unexpectedly after she graduated from Rollins College with a degree in theater. Upon moving to Deltona with her husband, she started substitute teaching and discovered her true passion when she worked with a student who had a traumatic brain injury. This experience led her to become a certified teacher, and in 1994, she began working in an ESE classroom at Deltona High School.
In her role working with multi-VE (multi-handicapped, varying exceptionalities) students, Tilford faces numerous challenges on a daily basis. From keeping her students on track academically and behaviorally to dealing with violent outbursts and personal care needs, her job is demanding and requires immense dedication. However, what truly weighs on Tilford and many other ESE teachers is the overwhelming amount of paperwork they are required to complete.
Unlike regular teachers, ESE specialists must meticulously document all services and support provided to students with disabilities in real-time. This includes monitoring students‘ progress in achieving the goals outlined in their individualized education plans (IEP). Elizabeth Albert, president of the teacher’s union, highlights the lack of time teachers have during the workday to plan and prepare for instruction, leading to feelings of exhaustion and burnout among ESE educators.
Throughout the 2023-24 school year, Tilford and other ESE teachers in Volusia County have expressed their concerns to the school board regarding the excessive paperwork and workload they face. The increased accountability for documenting services is a result of a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, which aimed to address discriminatory practices against ESE students in the district.
To alleviate some of the burden on ESE teachers, the district has implemented measures such as the Education Modified software, designed to streamline the documentation process for services provided to students with special needs. This digital system aims to make paperwork more efficient and less time-consuming, allowing teachers to focus on delivering quality instruction to their students.
Despite the challenges she faces, Mary Tilford remains committed to her students and is determined to continue teaching until she sees positive changes in the system. She finds joy in working with intellectually disabled students who have an incredible capacity for unconditional love and acceptance. Tilford’s dedication to her students and her unwavering commitment to advocating for improvements in the education system serve as a testament to the resilience and passion of ESE teachers like her.