Chris Matthews, an ESE teacher at Franklin Middle Magnet School, described the STEP program as offering a "phenomenal cohort" of K–12 teachers and urged prospective special-education teachers to bring "patience and passion."

Matthews said the program pairs teachers across grade levels and that, even though many in the cohort are new to Exceptional Student Education (ESE), they "share our lifelong experiences both in and out of the classroom" to improve instruction. He said he teaches sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade math at Franklin Middle Magnet School.

"I love the most about my job at Franklin is working with the kids," Matthews said, adding that while ESE can be "trying," the reward comes when students respond after testing: "to see their faces just light up after seeing how well that they've done, it makes the struggle all the more worth it." He closed by advising newcomers: "Make those your watchwords."

Matthews also offered a concise philosophy of relationship-building in special education: "they don't care what you know until they know that you care."