A blessing in disguise

I have the extreme luck of working in a school that has a loving and warm community of staff members, most of whom are more than colleagues but who have become friends. I see dedication and passion for teaching and learning all around me on a daily basis. It is a rewarding and fun place to work. When the news is negative about public school and critics blast us about the state of our schools I know we are the exception.

Last week, in the middle of the school day, a little boy with Down Syndrome was having another episode where he refused to do what he should be doing. He situated himself on the floor in the hallway, under a display case and made a cozy little home for himself. While endearing on one hand it is also not what any students should do and the staff of his room were handling the situation within their guidelines. One of those staff members happens to be my son. I saw him standing in the hallway keeping his eye on his student and when I walked past him he told me of his frustrations not only with this child on this day but with his work situation. The last thing he said, dripping with sarcasm was, "aren't you proud?".

YES I AM, here is why.

I see a man with amazing gifts when I look at him. He is very bright, very hard working and able to do many things. His job situation is like that of many in our country today, he is underemployed in a place he never thought he would be. He struggles with making ends meet because of life's circumstances yet he keeps going. What I am most proud of is his incredible ability to connect with the neediest of students.

The students in our Life Skills classroom have a range of disabilities from Down Syndrome, to severe and life threatening seizure disorders, being wheelchair bound and/or nonverbal with disabilities not visible but incapacitating. These are young people who need help eating, moving, communicating & using the bathroom. Some cannot breathe without apparatus, others require round the clock supervision for medical conditions and others have disorders that make it impossible for them to learn at the same rate as other children. There are kids in this room who seem "normal" but have hidden disorders. They are are unique and wonderful. Some can do simple math and most can read. All have personalities that can engage you and all make you count your blessings. We are lucky to have a life skills classroom in our school and luckier still because of the dedicated and talented people who are there day to day.

This room is staffed with people who are always upbeat and positive when they interact with the students. They appreciate the personalities of each one and guide and teach with such love. My son is one of the most naturally gifted people I have ever seen with special needs students. He jumped into the job with his heart and mind open, not ever having experienced the world of truly needy kids. I have often said that his being at "my" school is not only a blessing for the students but a gift to me. I have been able to see a side of him that no one knew existed (even himself, I think.) A heart that is loving and accepting. A gentleness and sweetness that is evident around these children and not in the world outside of school. His total acceptance of his students as people first with personalities and feelings and the right to be happy is a joy to witness. He speaks of them with affection and loves them and is genuinely happy to be in their presence. He celebrates their accomplishments and expects them to achieve to the highest of their abilities. He never gives up on them and is their greatest ally in a world that still backs away from them due to ignorance and fear. Being around him, seeing him in this way, makes my heart sing!

In the very near future he hopes to be able to move on to a new venture in life, due in most part to pure economics. I will support the next chapter in his life wholeheartedly, but will never ever ever forget what I have been blessed to witness these last few years. Our world is a better place because he is in it and that makes me very proud.

How do you say goodbye to someone who has taken you from crayons to purfume?

If you have talked to me about TV in the last 9 months or so you would know that I do enjoy a little Glee! every week. This past week was the season finale and it wrapped up some story lines and opened some doors for next season. It paralleled the real life ending to a school year with its stories of personalities, idiosyncrasies, dramas, home life problems and general ups and downs of life, both for staff members and students. We all have stories to tell, with or without bursting into song, and most of us have pressures and stress on a regular basis. I try to deal with mine with an optimistic outlook and the knowledge that I can lean on certain people if I need to. I have leaned on God a lot and don't always get the answers I want to but I continue to have faith. I am thankful for an awful lot.

In the finale of Glee! the other day the kids sang a song to their teacher. It was an old and special song for us who grew up in the 60s and 70s. "To Sir with Love" is from the 1967 movie of the same name and it is the story of an extraordinary teacher in London. More than anything it speaks to tolerance, acceptance, being open to things that might make us uncomfortable and love in all forms. By the end when the students must say goodbye to a teacher they did not want in a year that made them grow as human beings they realize that someone special has entered their lives and left a mark. I know educators tend to get put down a lot but I want to say that from where I sit I know some amazing teachers and they need to be appreciated. They are not all conventional, not all well paid, not always seen for who they really are and how hard they work. Often they are under-appreciated.

This year I want to say I appreciate you. With many thanks I want to acknowledge just a few of these fine teachers: Cathy, Melissa, Rebecca, Virginia, Eric, Shane, and alllll of Stefan's who hung in there till now,and my friends from Mt. Nittany who are moving on. Oh, and Will Shuster, too.

"The time has come,
For closing books and long last looks must end,
And as I leave,
I know that I am leaving my best friend,
A friend who taught me right from wrong,
And weak from strong,
That's a lot to learn,
What, what can I give you in return?

If you wanted the moon I would try to make a start,
But I, would rather you let me give my heart,
To Sir, with Love"