Special education teacher Tyler Mingle recounts calming autistic child with music, urges support and collaboration

Tyler Mingle, a special education teacher at Christiana Elementary School, said during a public comment period that a family experience led him to the classroom and underscored the importance of support for students with disabilities.

Mingle told the meeting that his aunt's son, who has autism, was having a meltdown and declined after he began playing guitar: "I started playing the guitar and it kind of calmed him out." He said seeing his family’s emotional response convinced him to make teaching his career, particularly at Christiana, which he described as "a little family."

Mingle said his work is focused on helping students gain independence. "My goal is to get them as independently as possible, and I hope that one day they can say that Mr. Tyler helped them be able to live by themselves," he said.

Offering practical advice to teachers entering the profession, Mingle warned against expecting too much in a first year. "You can't do everything the first year," he said. "You have to keep learning all the way through your career." He noted his own experience: "Been doing this 11 years and I learn something new every single year."

Mingle emphasized the role of classroom aides and collaboration with school staff. "I cannot do my job without the fantastic aids that I have working with me and that I've had work with me in the past," he said, encouraging new teachers to "ask your administration, ask other teachers that have been in it and have done it before."

The transcript contains only Mingle’s remarks; no formal motions or votes were recorded in the provided text.