This spotlight is of Savannha Edwards, a Teacher for My Angels Autism Child Development Center. Savannha is applying for The 2024 Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant via the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference started by me, Kerry Magro. I was nonverbal till 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4, and you can read more about my organization here.
Savannah Edwards is a dedicated and compassionate teacher at My Angels Autism Child Development Center in Bessemer, Alabama. With two years of teaching experience, Savannah has made it her mission to provide her Pre-K students, who have Autism and ADHD, with a safe and supportive learning environment. As she applies for the Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant, run by KFM Making a Difference, Savannah hopes to further enrich her classroom and give her students even more opportunities to grow and thrive.
To Savannah, the philosophy of “Teaching the Way Our Students Learn” is deeply personal. It represents her commitment to making the world a kinder place for her students, who often face challenges that others may not understand. For her, teaching isn’t just about delivering curriculum—it’s about providing every child with the tools and environment they need to succeed, just like any other child. She knows that every child has unique needs, and it’s her responsibility to find the best ways to support their individual learning styles. Savannah works tirelessly to build trust with her students, creating an environment where they feel safe, loved, and empowered to reach their full potential.
One of Savannah’s greatest joys is seeing her students overcome obstacles, no matter how big or small. She understands that no two children are alike, and she adjusts her teaching strategies to meet each child’s specific needs. Whether it’s through visual aids, hands-on activities, or alternative communication tools, Savannah is always finding new ways to help her students learn. She believes that every child deserves an equal learning opportunity, and she is passionate about making sure her students feel valued and capable.
In her classroom, Savannah has created a vibrant and welcoming space. Bright-colored walls, a calming corner for when students feel overwhelmed, and a TV for interactive learning all contribute to a supportive atmosphere. She also incorporates social-emotional learning by displaying charts that help students identify their feelings and the days of the week. However, there are still many ways Savannah hopes to enhance her classroom further. The Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant would allow her to purchase new workbooks, aprons with pictures and words for non-verbal students to point to when communicating, and art supplies like paint and canvas to encourage creativity. These resources would provide Savannah’s students with even more ways to engage with their learning and express themselves.
One of the most rewarding moments for Savannah came when she helped a student, referred to here as Student A, master the simple yet essential task of washing his hands. Using a step-by-step method called forward chaining, Savannah demonstrated each step—turning on the water, wetting hands, applying soap, washing for a minute, turning off the water, and drying the hands. After just two tries, Student A began to understand the process, staying calm and following the steps independently. This accomplishment was a huge success for Student A, and it was made even more special when Savannah found a way to redirect the other students, particularly Student B, who had become upset. Savannah calmly used learning blocks to engage Student B, helping him calm down so they could continue with their lesson.
For Savannah, these moments are what make her work so fulfilling. Her passion for helping children with special needs stems from personal experience—she has family members with autism, and she has seen firsthand how these children often face unfair treatment. This experience has driven her to dedicate herself to providing these children with the same opportunities to learn and succeed as any other child. She believes in giving her students a safe space where they can thrive and become successful individuals.
Savannah’s commitment to teaching extends beyond her students’ academic growth—she sees each day as an opportunity to learn and grow herself. She recognizes that every student has their own unique learning style, and she continuously adapts her teaching methods to best support them. Whether it’s through matching pictures with sounds, using verbal cues for one student or showing a few examples for another, Savannah’s teaching is personalized and flexible. She knows that every child has their own path to learning, and she feels incredibly fortunate to be part of their journey.
The Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant would not only support Savannah’s classroom but also allow her to continue her mission of creating a safe, inclusive, and effective learning environment for her students. It would provide her with the tools and resources needed to further support her students’ unique learning styles and help them develop the skills they need to succeed academically and socially. Through her dedication, love, and belief in her students, Savannah Edwards is helping to shape a brighter future for every child in her care.
Have Dr. Kerry Magro give a student assembly, staff development for your educators or a parent talk for your parents by contacting him here for more details.
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My name is Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum. I started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue post-secondary education. Help support me so I can continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
