PALM HARBOR, Fla. — This week’s nominee for A+ Teacher is an educator who has dedicated her life to students who are on the autism spectrum. 

April is Autism Awareness Month. 

At Ozona Elementary School in Palm Harbor, a day in Kathleen Chambers’ classroom is filled with smiles, lessons taught in song, and compassion. 

Her students range from 1st grade to 5th grade.

"They are very complex," Chambers said. "They have a lot of issues that we have to deal with, but it's just a symbol because once you've met an autistic child you've only met one. Every child is different."

Chambers said "the most challenging part is having to find all the little nuances of their behaviors and the specific things that will allow me to reach them."

Sometimes, Chambers' lesson is a much needed hug for a student who may be experiencing sensory overload.  She credits her mother for passing down her knowledge and passion for teaching Special Needs Education. 

"My mom was a teacher in a pre-k blended class," she said. "I spent time in her classroom and fell in love with working with an autistic student; a couple of months later I went and got my masters in Special Education and I have been doing it ever since."

Chambers has been teaching for 27 years.