This spotlight is of Gloria Sapp, a Speech/Language Pathologist at Toombs Central Elementary School. Gloria 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.
With nearly three decades of experience as a Speech/Language Pathologist, Gloria Sapp has made an indelible impact on the lives of her students at Toombs Central Elementary School in rural Georgia. As she applies for the Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant, a program run by KFM Making a Difference, Gloria reflects on her journey as an educator—one that is defined by her unwavering belief in teaching students in a way that meets their individual needs and harnesses their unique strengths.
For Gloria, the philosophy of “Teaching the Way Our Students Learn” is not just a guiding principle; it is a deeply personal commitment to meeting each student where they are. Over the course of her career, she has worked with a diverse range of students, including those with Autism, ADD, ADHD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, specific learning disabilities, and more. She believes that embracing differences and tailoring instruction to the individual is essential in special needs education. Gloria’s approach ensures that no two students receive the same lesson in the same way. She views each student as a unique learner, and the key to success lies in understanding how each one absorbs and processes information.
One powerful example of how Gloria incorporates this philosophy into her work can be seen in her interactions with an autistic student who struggles with answering “how” and “why” questions. Rather than isolating this skill as an abstract concept, Gloria blends it with life skills. Together, they visit the school counselor’s office to practice asking about available tasks or jobs, a real-world setting where he can develop both communication and social skills. By addressing multiple goals in a single activity, Gloria creates opportunities for her students to practice skills in meaningful contexts, reinforcing the idea that learning should not occur in a vacuum but within the “whole picture” of each child’s development.
Gloria also recognizes that not all students can engage in traditional forms of instruction. Some students, particularly those who are non-verbal, may struggle to sit at a table and answer questions in the same way neurotypical students might. This requires flexibility and creativity on her part. Gloria employs strategies like student-led activities and parallel play to foster communication and engagement. These activities, often small but significant steps, help build trust and interest, laying the foundation for skills like turn-taking and imitation that will be essential in both social and academic settings.
For Gloria, teaching the way students learn means constantly thinking outside the box and being open to alternative methods. It’s about understanding that the traditional classroom structure does not work for every child and that it is the educator’s responsibility to create a learning environment that is adaptable and inclusive.
Gloria’s passion for inclusion extends beyond individual lessons and strategies. She is also deeply committed to promoting awareness and acceptance for students with exceptional needs throughout the entire school community. One of her most cherished initiatives is the celebration of Exceptional Children’s Week and Autism Awareness Month. These events, which include activities like guest speakers, interviews, dress-up days, and special snacks, foster a culture of inclusion and raise awareness about the needs and abilities of differently-abled students. With the support of the Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant, Gloria hopes to expand these efforts by purchasing materials such as decals, bracelets, and gifts for guest speakers, as well as providing funding for special snacks that allow all students to participate.
In addition to raising awareness, Gloria plans to use the grant to invest in a social skills curriculum that will benefit her speech therapy sessions as well as the wider classroom environment. The program will allow students to practice essential social communication skills, such as initiating conversations and maintaining eye contact, in a structured yet flexible manner. Gloria also hopes to purchase sensory items for students, which will be shared with other special education teachers at the school to better meet the sensory needs of students across various classrooms.
For Gloria, every small change and every effort toward inclusion is part of a larger mission to make the world a better place for exceptional students. As she puts it, even if she can make a difference for just one student, it’s a step in the right direction.
One of the most memorable and heartwarming success stories from Gloria’s career involves a former student named L, a Hispanic boy with autism. Gloria first met L when he was just two years old, working with him through the state’s early intervention program, Babies Can’t Wait. At that time, L was non-verbal and expressed his frustration through tantrums. His parents struggled to take him to public places due to his challenging behaviors, and his inability to communicate made it difficult for him to express his needs.
After Gloria moved into her role as a Speech/Language Pathologist at Toombs Central Elementary, she had the opportunity to work with L again. Over the years, she saw tremendous growth as L progressed from a non-verbal child with significant behavioral challenges to a student who was able to communicate functionally with words. While it often required practice, prompting, and imitation, L’s language skills began to emerge in real-life situations. Gloria recalls running into L and his parents at Walmart, where he was able to communicate with others and even greet people with a simple “goodbye.”
Perhaps the most significant moment of L’s journey came during his final year at the school, when he was in fifth grade. Gloria worked with him to memorize and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, a goal that held both personal and social significance. At the school’s annual field day, L stood proudly with his peers and independently led the entire student body in saying the Pledge. This was not just an academic achievement—it was a symbolic moment of inclusion and self-expression, as L accomplished something that many of his typically developing peers would have taken for granted.
For Gloria, this success story encapsulates the heart of her work: the belief that every child, regardless of their challenges, has the potential for growth and achievement when provided with the right support, tools, and opportunities. L’s story is a testament to Gloria’s dedication to her students, and it serves as a reminder that the work of educators like Gloria is never in vain.
As Gloria continues to apply for the Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant, her focus remains on providing her students with the resources, attention, and opportunities they need to succeed. She knows that true success is not measured by standardized tests or traditional academic achievements but by the growth and development of each individual child. Through her flexible teaching methods, commitment to inclusion, and deep care for her students, Gloria is not only teaching her students how to communicate more effectively but also helping them build a foundation for a brighter, more inclusive future.
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.
