Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center teacher of the year Tanya Pullum says the greatest reward she receives from her job is the love she takes home at the end of each day.
Pullum has been teaching special needs students at the kindergarten since 2009, but has worked with young students facing learning barriers for almost 23 years. She has taught in Mountain Grove, Mo., and schools in Minnesota, Michigan and New Mexico during her career.
She originally wanted to be a school counselor, but made the change once she began teaching special needs students. She also had family with special needs that played into her decision.
"I went to school and got my degree in secondary social science education so I could become a counselor. But once I got into teaching, I loved it. I started teaching special education out in New Mexico. My sister was mentally challenged and it just seemed to be a good fit for me," Pullum said.
"Later on, I had my own child with special needs, and that is where I have always been," she said.
Pullum says the best part of her job is the unconditional love she receives from her students on a daily basis.
"At this age, the differences aren't that noticeable most of the time. You might have a child with special needs and really, the other kids don't even notice. The gap gets bigger as you get older. Also the kids are really accepting. They want to help and they want to be a part and try," Pullum said.
"The kids love you. At this age they love their teacher. So I take that home. I get to watch them do the little things - as most special ed teachers would say, the little baby steps that we get excited about," she said.
Pullum said she was honored that her administrators and fellow teachers nominated her for the award.
"I was honored. To be nominated by your peers - that they think that much of you is really great. With this Capturing Kids' Hearts stuff we are doing at the buildings, one of the things it tells you to do is stretch yourself, step outside of your comfort zone and really see who you can become," Pullum said.
"And I have been trying to apply that to my life. So winning this was an acknowledgment they had noticed I had been growing and trying to be more," she said.
Pullum said she was honored that her administrators and fellow teachers nominated her for the award.
"I was honored. To be nominated by your peers - that they think that much of you is really great. With this Capturing Kids' Hearts stuff we are doing at the buildings, one of the things it tells you to do is stretch yourself, step outside of your comfort zone and really see who you can become," Pullum said.
"And I have been trying to apply that to my life. So winning this was an acknowledgment they had noticed I had been growing and trying to be more," she said.