Written by Bethany Cothran

The smells of cafeteria food and teenage angst would be overwhelming to many, but to Soddy Daisy High School’s autistic ninth grade English teacher Hannah Wilson, the locker-lined hallways are more like home.

“[School] provided a really good structure for me and people with autism often need a lot of structure to keep them going or they get kind of off the rails,” Wilson said. “So I really like that structure and then I kind of fell in love with English.”

After a day of teaching, Wilson recognized that she has come a long way since she was first diagnosed with autism in seventh grade. 

“Finally getting that diagnosis was like an eye opening experience for me because like…other people experience the things that I’m experiencing,” Wilson said. “I’m not losing my mind, and I just need a little bit extra support in some places and some places are just not my area.”

When deciding on a career, Wilson knew English was the path she wanted to take, but ultimately chose teaching, influenced by her love for school. 

Growing up, Wilson always loved reading and still takes special interest in Harry Potter. Often feeling out of place, she connected with Harry.

“[Harry] always was a little bit of an outcast, so I could probably relate to that a little bit,” Wilson said. “…experiencing the same things that these characters are experiencing is really cool for me.”

After graduating UTC in 2022, Wilson spent several months applying and interviewing for teaching jobs around Hamilton County until she was hired at SDHS. 

Wrapping up her first semester as a teacher, Wilson reflected on working to build a good relationship with her students and fellow staff while constantly figuring out what the next class will entail.

“If you talk to any teacher, they’ll tell you the first year of teaching is the hardest,” Wilson said. “…you’re trying to get back into the groove of things, figure out what works for you, and honestly, lesson planning every day because we’re starting from scratch.”

While her own high school experience was rough as she struggled with her mental health, navigating the chaotic high school world as a teacher, Wilson finds a sense of belonging. 

“I tell people that if the kids were to absolutely lose their minds, I’d probably still stay there because the staff is so supportive,” Wilson said. “I really love [SDHS]…they’re very kind to me.”

In her classroom filled with books, photos and letters, Wilson does her best to make school a place of comfort, creating a second home for her, her students and service dog Vienna.

Walking to the back of classroom 402, Vienna lies in her big gray dog bed by a small window lined with figurines from Wilson’s favorite movies and books. Atop a small stand sits Wilson’s coffee maker and a sign that reads “Vienna’s Villa.”

“[Vienna] loves school,” Wilson said. “She actually is depressed on the weekends. She always mopes all weekend. It’s really sad. She hates not doing work.”

After struggling with her mental health for years, Wilson and her family applied to get her a service dog. Three years later, Wilson was finally able to take Vienna home.

“I wouldn’t be who I am now without [Vienna] for sure. She’s helped me figure out things about myself that I would have never known without her,” Wilson said. “She helps me just understand myself a little bit better so I can cope with those mental things.”

From getting Vienna to being in the Mosaic program at UTC, Wilson worked hard to put herself on a track where she would be successful in a world catered to non-autistic people. 

Working through every challenge life sends her way, Wilson focuses on her students and Vienna, always keeping herself occupied. 

“I like having a routine…something I can do every day,” Wilson said. “I like having a purpose.”

Now, students shuffle in and out of Wilson’s personality-painted classroom, moving on to their next class with each bell. 

Following all the roadblocks she’s made it through, Wilson now walks down the hallways of SDHS with a smile on her face and Vienna by her side, providing each student with a special education and ensuring they have a place to call home.

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