|
|
A Teacher's Story
My Special Angel
By Karen Simpson
Twelve years ago, I had a Special Ed student whom I'll call Angel. She
struggled with reading, writing, and math, and she had some interpersonal
relationship problems due to Tourette's syndrome. She was also sweet as
pie, and she loved my jokes. I taught her for two years, fourth and fifth
grade. I collaborated with the Special Ed teacher, and although she really
struggled, Angel made progress.
 |
At the end
of her two years with me, I was worried about her, middle
school is a tough row to hoe, and when you are a special child
with special needs, it is even tougher. From time to time,
I heard little bits of info about Angel. She made it through
middle school and went on to high school. Many of the children
I have taught never made it through high school, so this was
good news. When she was an eleventh grader, the local newspaper
wrote a story about high schoolers working in peer mediation
groups. Guess who was the first child they talked about? That's
right, Angel. When I read the article, I knew she would be
OK.
Five years later, I was sitting in my classroom in my new
school, feeling lonely and missing my friends, when I checked
my email. "Dear Ms. Simpson, I hope you are the Ms. Simpson
from my Elementary school. I wonder if you remember me."
I read on for a paragraph or two and then cried for an hour.
My girl, my special Angel, is now a high school graduate working
with special-needs children at a local high school and thinking
very seriously about going to college to be a Special Ed teacher.
We are getting together soon for dinner, I can't wait to see
her.
Sometimes I feel that my teaching time was a waste, then
something like this happens. Angel found me. She wanted
to tell me thank you. She wants to see me. She actually
got what I was trying to give to her. And if that isn't
a powerful reason to stay in the classroom, I don't know
what is.
Karen Simpson has been a teacher in Jefferson County, Kentucky
for 21 years. She has taught 4th and 5th grade, mostly as
split classes. Karen writes, "I love having my children
for two years."
|
|
What one educator
says about this site:
"Inspiration from other teachers is so validating!"
Teacher,
Wyoming, MI
|
|
