Courtesy of Patricia Walker
This month’s Outstanding Teacher, Patricia Whitaker, has dedicated decades to Special Education (SPED), showcasing her deep commitment to the field. After graduating from LeMoyne-Owen College with a degree in education, she began her career at Avon Elementary in the Academic Adjustment Class (AAC), the school’s SPED program. “From my first year in AAC, I realized I needed more tools to better serve my students,” Whitaker says, which led her to earn a master’s degree and certification in Special Education from the University of Memphis.
Throughout her career, Whitaker has taught at multiple schools, including Cordova Elementary, where she played a vital role in the Title 1 program. Even after retiring from Cordova in 2011, Whitaker continued teaching, focusing on Title 1 and SPED at various schools. Today, she supports students with IEPs (Individualized Education Program) in language arts and math at Compass School.
Whitaker’s inspiration to specialize in SPED comes from recognizing the needs of children struggling to reach grade-level benchmarks. This commitment drives her to help every student achieve their full potential, regardless of their challenges.
Whitaker’s teaching strategy is rooted in understanding her students’ strengths, capabilities, and weaknesses. She works closely with regular classroom teachers, observing lessons to tailor her instruction. “Reading is the most important for my students right now,” she says. “I break down lessons in a smaller setting to help them comprehend and apply the material.” This method ensures that each student gets the support they need.
One story highlighting Whitaker’s impact involves a student she’s worked with since kindergarten. “He’s now in fifth grade,” she says. “He hardly spoke to anyone except me until around fourth grade. Now, he’s interacting and communicating with teachers and other students.” This progress, which has also improved his home life, showcases Whitaker’s dedication and skill.
Whitaker believes in a holistic approach to education, collaborating with other educators, parents, and support staff. “I stay updated with the teachers’ lessons by daily observation in the regular classroom,” she says. Her approach helps her align instruction with what students learn in their regular classes, focusing on areas needing extra attention, particularly reading.
Keeping up with the latest Special Education research is also important to Whitaker. She regularly reads articles, attends workshops and relies on a SPED liaison for new information. “Our SPED liaison provides helpful new insights that are extremely supportive in the classroom,” she says.
One of her biggest challenges is encouraging parental cooperation. “Consistency is key for Special Education and cannot be accomplished at school alone,” Whitaker says. To address this, she motivates students to seek help and study at home, even if it’s just reading a book with a parent or family member.
Despite the challenges, Whitaker finds immense satisfaction in her work. She recently received a text from a student’s mother about her son’s TCAP score, which had increased by 25 percent. “This moment is remarkable!” she says. “Two siblings I also taught just graduated from Compass High School with internships and college acceptance letters. I’m beyond proud.” Stories like these, along with the success of former students who have graduated and moved on to college, fuel Whitaker’s passion for SPED.
Although she’s retired, Whitaker continues to teach part-time at Compass School, impacting her students and the entire community. “It takes a village working together to raise and guide students. I continue to work in SPED because I know the need, and I am able to provide,” she says. Her story is a powerful reminder of a dedicated teacher’s impact on countless lives.
We want to shine a light on your child’s teacher, or even a teacher who made a difference in your life. Submit your nomination today by emailing teacher@memphisparent.com.