That’s how Holly Schmidt, an autism inclusion specialist in School District 196, feels about her job. And, she will be honored for her years of work and dedication to that career.

Schmidt is the chosen recipient of the 2004-05 Special Education Teacher of the Year Award from the Minnesota Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). She will receive the award Feb. 24 during the annual CEC conference in Duluth.

“I was totally shocked,” Schmidt said. “I had no idea someone had even nominated me.”

Schmidt started in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district as a Communication and Interaction Program (CIP) teacher at Pinewood Elementary in 1990, working with students diagnosed with severe cases of autism.

In 1998 she took the first districtwide position of autism inclusion specialist, facilitating the needs of autistic students included in regular education classrooms.

Since that time, District 196 has added other specialists and divided their caseloads into clusters. Schmidt now teaches at Northview and Woodland elementary schools, Dakota Hills Middle School, Eagan High School and the Area Learning Center in Apple Valley.

Schmidt’s role is three-pronged, in which she assesses students for special education qualification, works with teachers to accommodate student adaptations and works with students on social skills.

Autism is primarily a social disability, Schmidt said, and many of the students need assistance in reading body language, making eye contact and understanding vocal tones.

“Sometimes it’s really subtle things they need to be taught about,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt meets with about 30 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Districtwide there are about 180 autistic students fully incorporated in regular classrooms. Along with students in the CIP special education programs, there are about 300 total students with autism spectrum disorders.

Currently, the field is being highly researched to identify potential genetic pre-dispositions.

With growing numbers each year, Schmidt said professionals are getting better at identifying autism, which in the past would have often been considered behavior disorders.

In Schmidt’s nomination, District 196 Special Education Director Sue Backman wrote: “Holly Schmidt is a master teacher in every sense and stands out as a treasure in our profession. She is an autism expert who has gained the trust and respect of not only staff but also the families with whom she works.”

Schmidt attended Syracuse University in New York where she earned her master’s degree in 1986. As a student teacher at Jowonio School in Syracuse, Schmidt said she learned skills and gained inspiration from her lead teacher Ellen Donovan, which she still draws from today.

“Once I started working with them and getting to know them, it just clicked. I have found them so fascinating and great kids to get to know,” Schmidt said. “I just knew this was what I wanted to do forever.”

After a stint in northern Virginia, Schmidt moved to the Twin Cities.

It’s the students who provide joy in her day, Schmidt said.

“I feel like it’s a real gift in my life that I get to know them,” Schmidt said. “I feel like they’ve taught me a lot about how to be a good teacher with them.”

District classroom teachers have also been impressive, Schmidt said, by wanting to do what’s best for their students.

Although, there have been challenges during Schmidt’s career as well. At times it can be emotionally draining to assist families as they learn to deal with their child’s disability, she said.

Finding the time to train teachers is also a hurdle Schmidt must jump, especially since there are so many educators interested in gaining more knowledge about the disorder.

“The district has been really supportive of doing teacher training,” Schmidt said.

Recently Schmidt has been instructing autism certificate courses at Hamline University to teachers. Currently 12 District 196 special education teachers are going through the program.

In her free time Schmidt and her husband relax on their hobby farm near Hastings. She also enjoys gardening, hiking and seeing movies.

As the Minnesota special education award recipient, Schmidt will be in the running for the national honor.

“I’m just so honored,” she said.