More Rare than Gold
Special education teachers often get a bad rap although that’s not my personal experience. There are some real gems out there, underpaid and undervalued but nonetheless still giving of their best.
Here in California when over 22,000 pink slips have been issued, I think it’s important to pay tribute to those who work in special education, the professionals we trust with the care of our children, both teachers and aides because it’s all about teamwork. Not only do they need to teach the curriculum and cater to each of the differing special needs of their charges, they also need to deal with the unexpected. I can think of no better way to illustrate the unexpected than to demonstrate the unexpected with an example.
This is of course hearsay as I wasn’t there myself at the time.
My son and his pals enjoy the addition of a new play fellow in their classroom The new chap has a lot of catching up to do because he is in a new environment. Like most ‘new kids,’ he has lots of questions that need lots of answers, ordinary questions, such as the rules. Most children want to know the rules but many children are of a very literal frame of mind, which means that the rules are taken quite literally. Hence the other children half listen to the conversation between the teacher and the new boy as they complete their worksheets.
New boy: “are pets allowed in school?”
Teacher:- “no I’m sorry to tell you that no pets are allowed in school.”
New boy: “are dogs allowed on the school grounds?”
Teacher: “no I’m afraid there’s a strict rule about allowing dogs on the premises, we have to be careful.”
New boy: “are cats allowed on the premises?”
Teacher: “sadly, cats aren’t allowed on school grounds either.” The last sentence is my son’s cue to stand up, walk to the wall to collect his backpack and head towards the exit but his teacher intervenes, “what’s up my friend?”
“Meow!”
“Oh dear. I was forgetting. Of course! You are part cat!”
Did you remember to thank your teachers and aides today?
Don’t forget to add your name to the “list.”
April 9th, 2009 at 3:48 am
You are quite right, support teachers are like gold and in Amy’s case that is no exception.
CJ xx
April 9th, 2009 at 4:08 am
[...] Whitterer on Autism added an interesting post on More Rare than GoldHere’s a small excerptSpecial education teachers often get a bad rap although that’s not my personal experience. There are some real gems out there, underpaid and undervalued but nonetheless still giving of their best. Here in California when over 22,000 pink slips have been issued, I think it’s important to pay tribute to those who work in special education, the professionals we trust with the care of our children, both teachers and aides because it’s all about teamwork. Not only do they need to teach the curric [...]
April 9th, 2009 at 5:00 am
Mine’s off for 6 weeks – hand surgery – and won’t be back until the end of April. The replacement IMO is very good.
We’ve had some not so goods too for the little one. Last year, I filed a complaint against one (supply not full time) and she’s never been back.
April 9th, 2009 at 5:03 am
OMG your son is soooo adorable – I am perishing of the cuteness
And of course you are sooo right – there are some great special ed teachers out there
April 9th, 2009 at 5:52 am
I have been lucky as well..We have some of the most wonderful people working with our boys! I have to say it is odd though…My boy Oscar, believes himself to be part cat as well! In fact, when asked what he would like to be when he grows up he says-”A BIG cat”..I for one think that is a wonderful choice of occupation!
April 9th, 2009 at 6:27 am
As a special ed teacher, THANK YOU! It means so much to us to hear that.
April 9th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Good reminder. My son and olderst daughter were lucky enough to get the same Special education teacher. She has worked wonders with them and saved us from dealing with “the system”
They deserve recognition from the administrators and parents.
April 9th, 2009 at 7:06 am
i love my son’s teacher, she is so vested in her kids
April 9th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Just wanted to drop by and say thanks for visiting my house blog. It is always nice to meet other moms. My main blog however is http://thebrookshirefam.blogspot.com. For some reason I am much better at updating it than the house one.
As for teachers – my boys aren’t quite at the age to have them yet; but much of my husband’s fam works in the schools – whether as an aid or teacher or coach – and I can tell you that they are very much under appreciated (not to mention underpaid) for all the work that they do.
April 9th, 2009 at 11:53 am
So true about special ed teachers. One teacher who has been so good for my daughter is leaving – tomorrow is her last day and I am still trying to find something/say something that conveys my gratitude.
April 9th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
My sister has worked for several years as an aide in a Special Education classroom and she loves it. She talks about the struggles and the heartaches but also about the amazing things that happen and all the love that is shared there. The single teacher in the classroom could not possibly conduct class without her assistance, it’s a team effort and her role as an aide is an essential link. It is a shame when schools face reduced funding that their first step is often to start cutting these jobs. It’s the wrong way to go.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Teachers and Aides….very deserving of our praise. We have been so lucky and I try to convey how I feel whenever I can. This year especially, with the start of full day Grade 1, we’ve had some real heroes. I’m thinking end of year gifts will need to be something special this year. I think with the good ones it’s obvious because you can see that your child’s growth is more important to them than anything else. That’s nice.
April 9th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Completely agree, both as a parent of a special needs kiddo and and aide in a special ed preschool room. =) The teachers I work with are amazing women. I wish the parents of our students understood that!
April 9th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
I’m so glad you posted this. You are absolutely right when you say that special ed teachers need to be given kudos. (all teachers do, but special ed is a whole different area)I work in the resource room and see first hand what special ed teachers have to go through and its hard and frustrating, but in the end it is VERY VERY rewarding.
great post, once again.
April 11th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Wonderful post!
And that boy of yours…I love him to bits!