Christina Wyatt, a sixth- through eighth-grade special education teacher at Irma Marsh Middle School, is Castleberry ISD’s 2025 Secondary Teacher of the Year. With five years of experience in education, Wyatt is already making a lasting impact through her purposeful teaching practices and unwavering commitment to student inclusion and independence. As Castleberry ISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year, she will advance to the regional level, where one secondary teacher in Region XI will be selected as the Region XI Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Wyatt teaches in a self-contained life skills classroom, where her instruction focuses on equipping students with real-world knowledge and the confidence they need to thrive both in school and beyond. Her classroom is built on a foundation of purposeful instruction, individualized support, and deep respect for student dignity.
One way Wyatt does this is through a unit she calls Life Skills and Community Access. In her classroom, skills like budgeting, grocery shopping, ordering from a menu, and using public transportation aren’t just lessons—they’re life-changers. They mark the difference between dependence and independence, isolation and participation. The unit follows the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, using hands-on tasks, differentiated materials, and adaptive tools to ensure every student can access and apply the content in ways that build real-world independence.
“I don’t teach just for academic gains—I teach for independence, inclusion, and empowerment,” Wyatt says. “Every student deserves access to meaningful learning that reflects their strengths, goals, and dignity.”
She also launched the Job Skills and Campus Connections Program at Irma Marsh, giving her students the opportunity to take on real responsibilities around campus—such as delivering supplies, organizing materials, and assisting staff. These roles help her students practice communication, develop confidence, and build strong relationships across the school community. The program has become a vital part of Irma Marsh Middle School, transforming not only her students’ experiences but also the campus culture.
“I’ve seen staff who were once hesitant to interact with our students become some of their biggest supporters,” Wyatt says. “I’ve seen students who used to avoid eye contact now confidently deliver items and initiate greetings. Inclusion becomes a living, breathing part of the school—not a theory or one-time training.”
One of the most meaningful markers of success in special education is when students are able to transition into general education classrooms and thrive. For Wyatt, that success is rooted in strong advocacy, careful planning, and belief in her students’ potential. Through close collaboration with families and general education teachers, she has helped several students move from self-contained settings into inclusive environments—where they’ve flourished both academically and socially.
Wyatt’s passion for inclusive education, creative approach to instruction, and unwavering advocacy for her students are helping shape a more equitable future for all learners. Through relationship-driven teaching and a commitment to building truly inclusive school communities, she is making a lasting impact—one meaningful connection at a time.