A Liberty Hill Middle School special education teacher gets to do her dream job every time she walks in the classroom.
Misty Duirden is a Killeen ISD STEEL Award winner for the month of April.
She took an inspiring path to her chosen profession, first caring for children in a private pre-school, then in a home-based day care before beginning a job at Liberty Hill as an inclusion aid 16 years ago.
Eventually, she earned her college degree and full teacher credentials and for the past nine years has been a skills teacher at the same middle school where she first began her public-school career.
“I worked hard to attain my degree so I could be a classroom teacher, which has been a dream for me since I was a little girl,” she said.
Each day, Duirden meets her students at the door and guides them through a daily routine, including breakfast, daily living skills and then language, math, history and other academic tasks.
In many cases, she stays with the same students all day for three years of middle school.
“I have the opportunity to educate students to the extent that I can see the potential,” she said, explaining the transition many students in special education make to higher levels of rigor.
“You have to have a passion for this. Not everyone can do it. You have to have patience and love children. With the disability, they need that extra support and caring. You have to be passionate and care about the kids,” she said.
“I love the children, and I enjoy educating them. I like seeing the light bulb come on when they master a task – ‘yes, we’ve done it,’” she said.
Winning a STEEL Award, said Duirden, was a humbling experience.
“I was grateful I was chosen. I don’t take it lightly. When you love what you do, someone will see, and the rewards will come.”
According to a STEEL Award nomination from Librarian Rebecca Fay, Duirden is “a compassionate and nurturing educator who consistently goes above and beyond to support students.”
Her deep and obvious dedication inspires the whole campus staff, according to the nomination.
KISD awards a STEEL Award twice a month during the school year based on staff nominations. STEEL stands for Supporting the Education and Empowerment of Learners.
