Updated: 12:23 PM EST Mar 13, 2021 WXII12.com Web Staff A Wilkes County middle school teacher assistant was named a North Carolina School Hero as part of the North Carolina Lottery program.Jeff Atwell said he likes to treat his students like his youngest son, who has autism.The Education Lottery said his commitment to his job and his compassion for his students led to his selection as a School Hero. “I am the mother of a severely disabled child,” said parent Kasey Byrd-Smithey. “Knowing that my son is taken care of the way that I would take care of him is an amazing feeling. Jeff understands what the kids need without the kids having to tell him and that just relieves all of my stress when it comes to sending my son to school.”Rodney Graham, the principal of Central Wilkes Middle, said Atwell s endless patience and compassion gives parents peace of mind. “Nothing you ever do for children is wasted,” Graham said. “When the children know that t