GARNER, IA - You can't squeeze a lot of kids into the Garner-Hayfield High School special education classroom. But with the right teacher, you can squeeze in a lot of learning.
Take Tiffany Banta. She's a few years off from graduating, but she's already thinking about her future career.
"I switch back and forth from one thing to another," she explained.
Luckily, she has Sherri Halfpop to guide her along the way.
"She really helps students out to succeed toward what they want to do after high school," Banta said.
Mrs. Halfpop admited she has a knack for balancing individual needs with classroom activities. She always wanted to be a teacher. But her education goals were much more... elementary.
"Actually, my dream was the younger kids," she confessed.
Somehow, she ended up with a classroom full of teens. Mrs. Halfpop teaches ninth and tenth grade special ed students.
She said, "I'm a very organized person, which is a crucial factor for being a special ed teacher."
But what makes her a great teacher isn't organization. It's expecting the most from students who may not expect it from themselves.
"I care that they succeed. I try to ensure success in their classes, and also for the future," Mrs. Halfpop added.
