Gail Colson's colleagues said her reputation preceded her for her first year at Shreve Island Elementary.

She had already been named the school's "Teacher of the Year," and she said she enjoys teaching special education.

"I wouldn't do anything else. This is it," said Colson. "I just love my kids and this is my 29th year."

Colson said special educators have to recognize that the individualized learning needs of children are at the center of instruction.

That sometimes calls for unique tools which can help them not only learn, but even communicate.

Colson had been wanting to purchase software to give a voice to her nonverbal students.

"I saw it in a workshop, and I thought, I need that for my students," Colson explained. "The workshop was two years ago, and I have been looking for a way to get that in my classroom."

Colson says giving a voice to the voiceless is priceless, and she is grateful to KTBS 3 and the One Class at a Time sponsors for providing the means to do it.

"When we walk outside or someone says hi, one of my students who is not able to speak, can press the button or the switch to say hi," Colson said.