Meet AHS's new intervention specialist

New students aren’t the only new faces here at AHS.

Victor Torres is Aurora High’s new intervention specialist and head freshman baseball coach. He came to Aurora at the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year, after teaching at schools in Michigan and Bedford.

Torres realized he wanted to become an intervention specialist while working for Continental Airlines at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, aiding children with disabilities during layovers.

According to Torres, the job of an intervention specialist is to create and implement special learning plans for children with disabilities.

“We do a lot. A lot of our work goes unnoticed at times. We are teachers first, but often times we have to wear different hats throughout the day for our students (counselor, coach, advocate, etc..)”

Torres says Aurora is different from other schools he has worked. The students are accepting and caring towards everyone, and truly support their peers. The students and staff work together to build a positive environment ideal for learning.

Torres’s favorite part of his job? “It brings unique and different challenges to me everyday. Everyday is a new day with regards to unexpected curveballs, but I love it!”

For students who want to pursue a career as an intervention specialist, a Bachelor's degree from a college or university with a respected education program is needed. A semester of student teaching and a semester specialized study is also a necessity. You must also pass a test in order to become state certified.

Torres says he loves that everyday is unique. His favorite part of his job is that it comes along with new challenges to face every day.

It is important to find a career that fulfills you, and Torres has done just that. “I get a thrill out of finding ways for my students to be successful and independent. You know you are where you need to be when you love coming in to work everyday”.