I knew I always wanted to be a teacher since I was old enough to babysit. The music teacher at my grade school was my inspiration. She would have me help her with vacation bible school at my church, and was always amazed at how I interacted with small children.

 

I have one student and his parents in particular that really touched my heart. To this day I still think of him and how he is doing in school. Actually, I think he has already graduated from high school or will this year. This child was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when I was teaching third grade. I expressed my concerns to his mother when we were a month into the school year. She had expressed concerns to his teachers in the past, but was always told he was "just being a boy". I noticed a drastic change in him when his football season ended, and he began acting differently than before. The mother immediately had him tested. Neither of us expected his diagnosis to be a form of autism. Both his parents and I fought for his services to be provided in the school since all of it was being overlooked by administration. Luckily, I had a SPED teacher next door to me to help me become trained and adapted to the changes for this boy. The remainder of the year was no picnic. There were many days where the boy had meltdowns, and his mother was able to leave her work to come up to the school. By the end of the school year, he was receiving the services he righteously deserved. His parents showed their appreciation by giving me a gift certificate to an expensive local restaurant, and a page long letter expressing her and her husband's gratitude in working with their son during that school year. I still have her letter to this day, tucked away in a folder to remind me from time to time on why I continue to teach.

 

This is me in Capri, Italy in March 2013. Luckily, my principal was understanding enough to let me miss 6 work days to experience a trip of a lifetime! Of course, I showed my gratitude with a bottle of red Italian wine! ; )