In Dixon: A special teacher indeed

DIXON – A newly minted member of Dixon High School Class of 1977, Mike Santos knew what he was signing up for.

He joined the Marines to take advantage of the G.I. bill that, along with a stipend from Veterans Affairs, would pay for his college tuition. The oldest of four brothers, he knew his family couldn’t afford college otherwise.

He achieved the rank of sergeant and, when his service concluded in 1981, he attended Sauk Valley Community College, got his bachelor’s from Illinois State University, then picked up a couple of master’s degrees, one in educational administration and the other in special education.

Again, he knew what he was signing up for – work.

“I thought that would be the best possibility to get work,” he said. “There always seemed to be a demand for special ed teachers.”

Sure enough, after student teaching at Rock Island High School in fall 1985, he slid into a special ed position in the spring, then worked in the elementary school for 3 years before transitioning to Challand Middle School, where he worked for 10 years.

In 1999, he arrived home. He’s taught special ed at Dixon High for 17 years. About 7 years ago, he took on math classes, too.

Exhausted but appreciative, he listened closely when a voice in his mind told him it’s time to retire. Friday is his last day.

“The cycle, to end up back here, is pretty amazing,” he said. “One of the most satisfying parts of this job is seeing sons and daughters of friends come through here. That tugs at my heart. It really does.”

In hindsight, it turns out he had no idea what he was signing up for – in good ways, and in not-so-good ways.

“There are lots of great kids, and you have the opportunity to help so many of them,” he said. “They come, they do what they’re supposed to do, and they’re on task most of the time.”

The paperwork, on the other hand?

“It’s just gotten so much more demanding, with more mandates,” he said. “When I was at Challand, the [individual education plans] were 4-page documents. Now, some are 30 pages long.”

No one’s ever seen it get to him, though.

“He is one of those teachers who never gets ruffled, and he will go to any lengths to make sure kids get what they need,” Superintendent Margo Empen said. “He’s one of those irreplaceable types of people for us, who are so difficult to find. He’s stayed the course while special education has become more and more demanding in the paperwork, the expectations, and the need to meet a variety of kids’ needs. Mike will be incredibly missed. He’s one of a kind.”

It goes without saying that special education requires special people.

“His patience with the students is unmatched,” Principal Mike Grady said. “He doesn’t waffle. They’ll go over it a number of times, to try to get them to understand concepts. The kids see that patience, and they appreciate it.”

“You have to develop that as the years go on,” Santos said. “I’m sure there’s a certain part of it that’s innate, but if you can learn to be more patient, that helps you through 30 years. You’re not going to cure the world of its troubles. You just try to take it slow. If it’s not advantageous to rush something, don’t do it.”

Santos plans to cherish more time with his parents, Richard and Lafay, who still live in Dixon. He also plans to play a little more golf. More than anything, though, he plans to stop and smell the roses more.

“I won’t be in such a rush to go to the grocery store or get things done,” he said. “I might play a little more golf. Take more walks. It seems like when you’re working full time, it’s a whirlwind. The thought of slowing down is comforting.”