Christian Teacher of the Year: Jessica Valente takes a faith-based approach to teach special education students life skills

When Jesus declared “the first shall be last and the last shall be first,” He didn’t say humility would be easy – but special education teacher Jessica Valente is finding ways to help her students understand this hallmark of Christian living.

“God is doing really big things in our school, and He has equipped us for whatever we needed,” Valente told The Lion.

That includes teaching the tough lesson that “we have to serve others before ourselves,” she said, detailing how her students learned to operate a coffee cart to serve others at their Christian school. 

“I had some students who wanted hot chocolate, and they couldn’t understand: ‘Why are we giving this to other people? We’re not getting to drink hot chocolate?’ So, we worked and talked about serving others as Jesus calls us to do. We do that first, and then maybe when we come back, not every time, but we can have a little treat ourselves.” 

It’s a lesson for all ages, as Valente oversees special education for grades K-12 at Tabernacle School in Hickory, North Carolina. She is now in her third year of teaching with 17 special needs children this year. 

Valente said she hopes to teach her students “how faith applies to their everyday lives,” by both modeling Christian character and teaching Scripture daily – a key reason she has been named one of the 12 Christian Teachers of the Year in 2025 by The Herzog Foundation, which publishes The Lion. 

She said she uses visual and sensory curriculum, including “songs and hand motions,” to teach biblical character, including “kindness, responsibility and service.” 

‘God will equip you’ 

The special education program started four years ago when one of Valente’s colleagues noticed a teacher did not send her son to Tabernacle due to his disabilities, which led to a conversation with a pastor at the school to address the issue.  

The pastor “has a heart for these children and these families” and decided to begin a program, Valente said. 

“It has been a scary thing because we as Christian educators don’t feel equipped to do this,” Valente said. “We’ve partnered with our county to help develop IEPs [Individualized Education Plans] and then turn them into private school service plans, and we get therapies through the county. So, they’ve been a huge help to us.” 

She said her team of teachers come from “all different backgrounds.” One is a physical therapist, another studied general education, and Valente has experience in behavioral therapy. Another teacher previously worked with disabled adults, and a recent hire taught “life skills” in public education. 

“So, God has put together this team,” she said. “I really feel like if the school is going to go in this direction, that God will equip you for whatever.” 

‘Celebrities of the school’ 

Valente said the students spend most of their day with the special education teachers but also attend corporate school activities such as Bible time, chapel or physical education.  

In fact, these students are “the celebrities of the school,” Valente told The Lion. She explained how middle and high school students invite her students to play at recess. The general education teachers also pair their students with Valente’s students to teach them classroom skills such as “sitting quietly” or doing focused work. 

“Our general education classrooms, they love on our students so hard,” she said, adding how encouraging it is to see her own children come to her classroom and greet her students.  

Tabernacle’s program has also encouraged older students to pursue special education either through work or when they attend college, Valente said. 

More than coffee 

Valente said she started the coffee cart as a hands-on opportunity for teaching “practical skills” and helping her students learn “confidence and independence” through “service, diligence and stewardship.”  

“The coffee cart not only builds functional and social skills but also reinforces the joy of giving and working with integrity,” she explained. “By engaging in meaningful tasks that reflect Christian principles, my students experience the connection between faith and daily life, empowering them to embrace a biblical worldview in practical and transformative ways.” 

Valente said she also incorporates “real-world applications” such as “grocery shopping, budgeting and cooking” to help the students run the coffee cart. She even works with her students to create unique recipes and plan the menu. 

As in any classroom, Valente’s students have various skills, joys and challenges, and she said the coffee cart has highlighted each student’s unique contributions. Some students love to deliver drinks and chat with teachers and other students, for example, while other non-verbal students prefer to decorate each cup with stickers. 

Another student “loves art,” so she “hand-draws on every cup,” she said. 

“She’ll take a Sharpie, and whatever she’s got in her brain goes on that coffee cup. Really fun things, and that’s one of the best parts of our program, is that they get this personalized picture on their coffee cup when the coffee is delivered to them. … 

“Different jobs for different children that match their ability level and their strength,” she continued. “That’s been really fun for me to see them grow in that way.” 

Beyond the classroom

Outside of the classroom, Valente leads Tabernacle’s Special Education Summit to help “collaborate with staff” and is “an invaluable team member,” said Sara Reid, Tabernacle’s elementary and exceptional children’s principal. “She is a tireless advocate for her students, ensuring they have the resources and support they need. Her empathy, patience, and creativity in the classroom make learning accessible to all students, regardless of their challenges.”  

Pastor Scott Hooks of Tabernacle Baptist Church said Valente’s “deep and abiding love” and “patient understanding” are gifts given from the Lord that equip her as “a source of encouragement to all our staff.” 

“She has a heart for the Lord Jesus that is demonstrated through her compassion for others and her willingness to serve them,” Hooks said. “Jessica is a faithful member of our church and one of those remarkable people who serve regularly in ‘behind-the-scenes’ ministries.” 

Valente sets “firm expectations for conduct” with love and grace that “draws out” students’ “fullest potential,” Hooks said.  

“I am truly amazed by the progress her students have made,” he said. “The families of her students are also astounded to see the difference in their children’s lives. They have a great love and appreciation for her.” 

The Christian Teacher of the Year honor is part of the Herzog Foundation’s Excellence in Christian Education award series. Each of the 12 winners was invited to attend a special professional development and recognition event in Washington, D.C.