WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!! We teachers live for good parents like you and success stories like that of your son. THANK YOU for being such a great parent. It's refreshing to see someone tell a positive story for once. Some people just want to see the negative so it is nice when there are people out there like you. It's funny that I rarely get replies to the stories I share here that happen in my own classroom.
I share your thoughts about special education teachers. I think that "special" label in front of their name sometimes has an alternate meaning. They live for their students' successes too. And they get to see a TON of neat things happen. I had a girl last year in resource (referred in kindergarten) who made wonderful progress. She's almost to the point where she is on grade level which is some kind of miracle. My neighbor (same neighborhood as my school) has made wonderful progress despite being autistic and essentially not being able to talk until he was 4.
We had this deaf girl with cerebral palsy at my first school. Those dedicated SE teachers worked with her a lot. She made WONDERFUL progress, learning how to read quite well. She made anyone's day with her infectious smile. I loved having her in my PE class because she always tried so hard. Sometimes she did quite well even. It brought tears to about everyone's eyes when her eyes lit up at a Christmas assembly dedicated to her--especially when some sang Christmas songs in sign language.
Then there was Tyler in the wheelchair. What a wonderful person he was!! He was another that tried in PE class despite his limitations. For basketball, I would set up a lower basket for him and he would speed up and slam dunk the ball to a standing ovation from the other kids. They also found out that his wheelchair served as a good barricade during a dodgeball game so his team usually won.
THANK YOU for your service to your kids. God will have a special place prepared for people like you.
Well, I have lived and learned. I use to know it all, and use to have all the answers, until life threw me a few curve balls!
When my son's first grade teacher suggested that he be tested for learning disabilities, I was FURIOUS! He was NOT retarded! SHE was obviously lacking in knowledge and perhaps just didn't like boys?! We gave that poor teacher such a hard time. It was not until march of first grade that we finally agreed to the assessment.
I lived long enough to see my error, and apologize to that teacher. And thank her for all her hard work on my son's behalf. She could have just threw in the towel and caved in to our pressure. She could have just rode out the year and give this kid to another teacher. She could have recommended that he be held back a year. But no. She fought for my son to get the real help he needed.
In my book, Teachers are the real heroes in this country.
Thank you for all you do.