'Tough Love' Helps Teacher Reach Students

“You must have so much patience.”

That is something Toni Belyea hears a lot when people hear she works with the intellectually disabled at Freedom High School. But she says that is not really the key to reaching them.

“First of all, I’m not a patient person,” the 51-year-old teacher said. “It’s more the opposite — like tough love. You need to reward them only for things that are really hard for them.

“The goal here is to get the kids to reach their independence, although no one can really say what that is," she added. "But my job is to find that. Either way, you’re not doing something for someone if you’re not making them do something for themselves.”

Nadine Skelton, whose 20-year-old son, James, is a pupil with cerebral palsy in Belyea’s class, appreciates the teacher’s drive and persistence. She recently placed her son with her after not seeing the results for which she’d hoped.

“Other teachers had cut back on goals for James, but she added some,” Skelton said. “I loved that.”

Getting close and hands on with her students are what allow Belyea to earn their trust and then be allowed to push them, she said.

“You have to get to know them personally,” Belyea said. “Once you get that emotional attachment, they respond. Just like anyone else. You find what makes them tick, and take it from there.”

Added Skelton: “Ms. Toni really cares about the kids. She’s not just there, putting her time in.”

On Wednesday, that dedication was on display in Belyea’s classroom as she walked James through the basics of eye contact with her classroom visitor. Such simple things are a big deal for a group of kids who are mostly non-verbal.

“James’ only way of communicating was by hitting himself,” his mother said. “He would be bloody. But now he can sense that she loves him. He’s improved by leaps and bounds and can better indicate what he needs through his eyes.”

For Belyea, a Michigan native, the understanding of the special needs of kids with severe disabilities goes back years.

“My aunt used to work with the deaf, blind and intellectually disabled, and back when I was 11 years old I used to go onto campus with her and meet her kids,” Belyea said. “So it’s all normal to me. I felt comfortable with their needs. I never really thought they were that much different.”

Belyea even goes beyond the classroom with her pupils by coaching Special Olympics. She enjoys the different setting.

“When you see the kids make gains in areas you never thought you’d see, it takes your breath away,” she said.

And Belyea thrives on the rewards of making such a difference in her unique educational endeavor.

“I am truly blessed,” she said. “I reflect every day on what a privilege this is. These are such sweet young people.”