“Helping students overcome challenges and celebrate their gains, no matter how big or small, is one of the most meaningful and rewarding parts of teaching,” shared April Dunson-Craft, a Special Education teacher at Hankins Middle School.
Mrs. Dunson-Craft earned her Master’s in Education, with a focus in Special Education and Collaborative Teaching, from the University of South Alabama. She has spent four years teaching in the public school system, along with 15 additional years in homeschooling and co-op teaching.
“Teaching is something I’ve always known I wanted to do, even as a young child,” she said. “I served as a peer mentor and graduate assistant at the University of South Alabama from 2021–2022 for the PASSAGE USA program, and that experience solidified my passion for working with students with special needs. I truly believe every student deserves the chance to learn, grow, and feel valued.”
For Mrs. Dunson-Craft, building relationships is the foundation of a successful school year—with both her students and their families.
“I spend the first month getting to know my students’ academic and social needs,” she explained. “During that time, we build connections and establish a clear understanding of expectations. Once students see that I hold them to high standards while supporting them every step of the way, everything begins to fall into place. I’m their teacher, their protector, and their motivator.”
She keeps her classroom engaging by using a variety of teaching strategies, including auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learning activities to meet each student’s individual needs. Group work encourages social development, while independent work helps students build confidence and self-sufficiency.
“I want my students to remember that I accepted them, cared for them, and believed in them,” she said. “I want them to know I will always be in their corner and that I never doubted their ability to succeed. Seeing them grow is the greatest reward. This recognition (MBP Teacher of the Month) is just icing on the cake.”
Known affectionately in the classroom as “Mrs. Craft” or “Mrs. DC,” April has been married to her husband Benjamin for 21 years and is grateful for his support. She has three children—two of whom are now on their own, while her youngest, 18, still lives at home. Outside the classroom, she has a heart for animals and cares for nine rescue dogs. She takes great pride in her role as a special education teacher, sharing that it is not just what she does—it’s who she is.
