Buffalos and Parents

**** First I want to talk about buffalos.  Last year I had the cutest cutest kids (Yes, my students this year are great, but they are older, not quite as cute, but a lot more fun.  It's just a trade off, not saying one is better than the other).  My old class was also a lot lower functioning than my class right now.  We would go through the alphabet everyday and try to get my kids to come up with words that started with certain letter sounds.  One day, it finally, sort of, got through to one.

Me: "A. 'a'a'a'a' - Apple. What else starts with A?"

no response

Me: "Alligator. Ant.  How about B? 'b'b'b'b' - Blue.  What else starts with B?"

Cute kid: "Buffalllooo"

YES! I had done it.  He heard the letter sound.  The best part was how he said buffalo though.  The accent was on the 'U' and he would hold it out a little and then say the 'ffalo' part really fast.  It melted my heart and I can still hear him say it.  The reason I mention this is because one of my students now said buffalo yesterday and I had a sweet little flashback.  I love those.


**** Now, I am going to talk about the wonderful and amazing parents that I get to work with.  Teaching special ed is not easy and I can only imagine how hard it is to raise a child with a disability.  Everyone dreams of their children and we always picture them being perfect, but sometimes those dreams are shattered and it takes time before you realize that this is what you wanted and needed all along.

I always talk about how wonderful my students are, but I want to recognize the parents of my students because they are inspirational.

I went to an awards ceremony on Wednesday put on by Utah CEC (Counsil for Exceptional Children).  CEC is a professional organization/association that we were encouraged to join as students studying in Special Education and something that many of us still participate in.  They recognized outstading students, teachers, professors, businesses, and parents in the Special Ed community of Utah.  One of my professors at BYU received an award as well as the first teacher I worked under as an aide.  I have been blessed to be surrounded by such amazing educators.

But the awards that stood out the most to me were those given to the parents.  These parents that they recognized were outstanding and got me thinking a lot about my student's parents.  All of my students are loved at school AND at home.  I have parents calling me to tell me funny things that happen at home or inviting me to events.

The other day, I had a parent who felt bad for something that had happened that morning and was asking me how her boy was doing.  Then she thanked me for everything she did and told me to tell him how much she loved him.  My heart swelled as I caught a glimpse of her love for this sweet boy.

I know how hard it must be to raise and care for a child with a severe disability and for a long time, I never thought I could do it, that being their teacher was enough.  But my heart has been changed as I have seen my students touch hearts.  I have worked with their parents and siblings and seen how wonderful and big their hearts were becaue they were in a family with a sweet spirit who has taught them unconditional Christlike love, patience, and helped them see the big picture.

So you parents who have this wonderful children, I look up to you.  I am constantly inspired by the things you do and they love you give your children.  Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to work with them.