Victoria Wilsey

Began at Teachwell:

 2026

Why did you choose this field?

I truly believe special education chose me. I stumbled into this field by chance when I began working at the Hollister group home, and I fell completely in love with the people I served. Somewhere along the way, it stopped being a job and became something I knew I was meant to do. I love being the person who sees what a student can do, especially when others only see what they can’t. For me, that starts with creating a safe, structured, and supportive environment where students feel understood and connected. I believe behavior comes before learning, regulation before expectation, and connection over compliance. When students feel safe, supported, and valued for exactly who they are, they can do things others may have thought were impossible—and getting to be part of that is why I love what I do.

What did you think you were going to be when you grew up?

Honestly, I don’t think I gave adulthood much thought as a kid! I was pretty footloose and fancy free and much more concerned with whatever adventure I was on at the time. Dogs have always been my favorite, I assumed I’d end up doing something with animals—I’ve always had a soft spot for them. I definitely didn’t have some grand career plan, and I think it’s pretty fitting that the career I ended up loving found me instead.

What or who most inspires you?

I’m most inspired by my student's growth—especially the kind that doesn’t come easily—and by the people who help make that growth possible. I’m constantly inspired by the special education teachers, occupational and physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, school psychologists, paraprofessionals, and others I’ve had the privilege of working alongside. There is something pretty incredible about having a team of people who care so deeply about their students and what they do. I’ve seen the stress, worry, tears, problem-solving, and determination that happen behind the scenes because everyone truly wants the best for a student. And then there are those moments when something finally clicks or a student accomplishes something that may look small to someone else, but the people who know how hard they worked know just how huge it really is. That combination of a student who keeps trying and a team that refuses to stop believing in them is what inspires me most.

Why Teachwell?

I’ve heard about Teachwell for years, usually followed by, “You would be such a great fit there.” This year, I knew I was ready for a change, and this opportunity seemed to fall into my lap at exactly the right time. What really drew me to Teachwell was the chance to be part of a team that shares so many of the same beliefs I have about students, relationships, and learning. I’m genuinely excited to work alongside like-minded people who believe in meeting students where they are and helping them grow from there.

What are you proudest of?

First and foremost, I’m proud of the students I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years, I love following where their lives take them. I feel an immense amount of pride when I say that I’m a special education teacher. The relationships I’ve built with my students, their families, and the incredible humans I’ve worked alongside are something I truly treasure. I’m also proud of my longevity in this field. Through moves and job changes, I’ve had the opportunity to work with individuals from toddlers all the way through adulthood, and every experience has shaped the educator I am today. Special education is not easy work, but even after all these years, it continues to bring me an incredible amount of joy, purpose, and fulfillment. I’m proud that after all these years, I still believe wholeheartedly in the potential of every student—that every child can learn and grow when they are given the support, connection, and opportunity they deserve.

How do you hope to make a difference?

I hope to make a difference by being someone who truly sees each student—their strengths, their needs, and their potential. I want my students to feel safe, valued, and understood, especially on the days when things are hard. If I can help a student believe in themselves a little more, find success where they may have struggled before, and know that there was always someone in their corner who believed they were capable, then I’ve made the kind of difference that matters to me.

What lessons has your work life taught you?

My work has taught me that building and tending to relationships is some of the most important work I can do for my students. Before academics, expectations, or progress can happen, students need to know they are safe, valued, and that someone genuinely cares about them. Special education has also taught me that some things are worth fighting for. I’ve learned that being a special education teacher also means being an advocate—for my students, for their families, for the services they need, and for their right to equitable access to an education. Advocacy may not always be written into my job description, but I believe it is absolutely part of my responsibility to the students I serve. Most of all, this work has taught me a lot about life. Life can be incredibly unfair and far too short, but my students have given me such an appreciation for its simple pleasures. They’ve taught me to celebrate progress in all its forms, find joy in moments others might overlook, and never take the little victories for granted. I may be the teacher, but there is no question that my students have taught me just as much—if not more—than I have ever taught them.

What is your background? Experience, degrees, skills, etc.?

I began my teaching career as a self-contained special education teacher at East Middle School in Rapid City. When my husband’s job brought us back to Sioux Falls, I had the opportunity to get my feet wet in early childhood education and early childhood special education before ultimately finding my way back to middle school with the Sioux Falls School District. Most recently, I worked as a resource special education teacher at Fred Assam Elementary in Brandon. My educational background includes Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, and K–12 Special Education. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with individuals from toddlers through adulthood and across a variety of special education settings. My experience has given me strong skills in IEP development and case management, individualized instruction, behavior and regulation support, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, supporting paraprofessionals, and working closely with families. But I would say my greatest strengths are relationship building, advocacy, flexibility, and finding a way to reach students who may not always fit neatly into the traditional educational box.

People would be surprised to know that I . . .