There’s a new special education teacher this year, but she’s not new to Yutan. Tara Mumm has been working at Yutan Public Schools for several years and has recently moved into the position of special education teacher, which was inspired by her previous experiences at Yutan.
“When I got the para position up here in the junior high and high school, I went from knowing what I like to do to what I love to do,” Mumm said.
Mumm has worked within the district since 2019. Mumm substitute taught special education at the elementary school for several years, and three years ago, she took the special education para professional position at the high school.
“I like working with students whom I have known since elementary school. I enjoy seeing the students I work with every day and seeing their daily progress,” Mumm said.
The students are Mumm’s favorite thing about being a special education teacher.
“The kids are awesome. I really like all the kids. They’re enjoyable to work with, and I like to see their growth,” Mumm said.
The process of switching positions involves taking specialized classes and certain graduate classes, as well as training during the summer to become the best special education teacher she can be. While taking these classes, Mumm is learning what it is like to care for special education students and all of their different needs.
“I will do trainings throughout the whole year through ESU (Educational Service Unit),” Mumm said.
While managing her grad classes, Mumm still strategically plans her day to make time for everything she must get done. A typical workday for Mumm starts with planning her day while in first period. During the next three periods, she teaches functional math, functional English and living skills. Then, for the rest of the day, she gets to go to classrooms and support other students.
One of Mumm’s colleagues, Michael Swanson, said that Mumm is a great fit for this position.
“She is a good, solid voice for kids who maybe have anxiety or stress,” Swanson said.
Swanson and principal Stefanie Novotny both attributed Mumm’s success in the classroom to the fact that she is also a mother.
“She’s a mom, and she really just has those motherly skills that just help her connect to kids and help them feel comfortable with her and just a lot of patience for our kiddos,” Novotny said.
Mumm has three children of her own, two in the high school building and one in the elementary, who attend Yutan Public Schools. When asked what it’s like working in the same building as her children, she said it is something she enjoys.
“I love it, and I love seeing them in their classes and in the hallway,” Mumm said.
“I really want to grow and get more confident presenting IEPs and get better at writing the IEPs and the goals for our students,” Mumm said.
Novotny also has some goals for Mumm.
“My goals for our first-year teachers are for them to be comfortable with what they’re teaching and to be able to build a good connection with our students,” Novotny said.
Mumm’s words of wisdom to anyone who may want to follow in her footsteps would be that it is a rewarding profession.
“It is a tough job, but worth it to see the growth in the students,” Mumm said.
