Brandon Yoney "is wonderful example for all new teachers, in fact for all teachers." Thus ended his nomination by Melissa Schaller, Special Education Director for Austin Public Schools. Brandon teaches at Ellis Middle School where he works with sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students with autism and developmental cognitive disabilities. His academic program for students is outstanding with a heavy focus on social skills. Brandon goes the extra mile and is also the boy’s basketball coach at the middle school. He “thinks outside the classroom.” For example, inviting a student who needed to develop social skills to become the manager of the basketball team. Always ready for a challenge, Brandon is already back to school to complete his licensure for Physical and Health Disabilities and serves as the district’s consultant for Physical Impairment. Austin now has a very successful adapted bowling team started by Brandon who is their head coach.