DELTONA, Fla. — A parent nominated Daisy Santiago as an A+ Teacher describing her as an educator who gives 100% of herself every single day to her students.

In Santiago’s class, you will find a sensory integrated environment where movement and music make all the difference. Santiago says, “Kids are not meant to sit down. They have a lot of movement. Sometimes with our special population, they need extra movement.”

Santiago says music is another way to reach them. She adds, “Music helps reach them in ways that just talking to them or talking at them doesn’t.”

Her students span first through fifth grade in an ESE multi-class. Teacher’s aides help give one-on-one attention.

“You have multiple disabilities and typically it’s a significant cognitive deficit combined with physical disability, autism, down syndrome, language impairment. So there’s multiple factors that relay into that,” she explained.

Santiago has been teaching for 18 years. Being an educator for her is a calling that is deeply personal.

“It comes from being a mama, so my own two children are ESE students — when they were younger — all grown up now,” she said.

While Santiago’s students may learn differently, she says it is important to know her students can learn.

“We are super consistent, and I challenge them every single day to do more, and they have far exceeded our expectations.”