Thursday, August 24, 2006

Well, as it turns out yesterday, I had some trepidation because in the corporate world "special" attached to anything means pack your box up and get ready to get out; for example, "Special Projects."

Turns out that I was a substitute aide for a teacher of special needs kids. There were five in the class; all were very sweet..one was much more challenging than the others. I had to take him to an art class and keep him engaged for an hour and a half. It's difficult for ME to be engaged for an hour and a half. He seems to be autistic and inflicts harm on himself. He did well, but I expected an implosion later in the day, which did indeed happen. I felt sorry for him...that he was cooped up for 7 hours a day when he wants to RUN and move about all the time.
Anyway, the day went pretty well, aside from the stress the child I was in charge of went through....and there was lots of prayer on my part that I could be useful and handle things; and that the kids were getting something out of their schooling. I tell ya...those Special Ed teachers are worth their weight in gold. Some of the kids have diapers, and need constant attention. The teacher asked if I would be interested in helping again because it's difficult to keep subs there, and that's hard on the kids---new faces all the time. They have a very tough job, but it's obvious that they love these kids. I can see why... I can't seem to get them out of my mind.

10 comments:

Bar L. said...

So does that mean "yes" you will be doing it again? Sounds like those kids really touched you and also sounds like you did really well with them.

karen said...

oops...yes, I gave the teacher my sub number. I was blessed by those kids...I was only there one day, though...so don't REALLY know how I did, but thanks, Bar...you are a wonderful encourager!

trace said...

karen - good for you. I have a severely autistic nephew, so I have a lot of respect for special ed teachers.

Gigi said...

I knew what you would be doing and had a feeling it would be a good fit and was excited for the kids to get your touch.....

Helen said...

sounds challenging for you, but you kind of know that when God has placed you somewhere, it feels right despite it being challenging, using art must be very theraputic for these children, I bet you were lovely with them too,

keep us updated!

Helen x.

kc bob said...

Nice post - U R cool!

... Paige said...

They need the same faces day in and day out. It is stressfule for them to have change. Happy weekend

Milly said...

I worked with autistic children. You will need to remain creative and patient each day can be different. Stick with God He’ll guide you.

You and the children have my prayers

NoVA Dad said...

Karen, that's great -- and I don't think you'll ever fully know how much it meant to those kids that some one with your sense of caring and compassion was there to step in when their regular teacher was out.

I agree, too, with your comments about Special Ed. teachers. My father was a teacher for 18 years, 17 of which he taught special ed. students. He gave it his all, and it took more out of him at points than he had to give. On the first day of his 18th year, he came into the class, opened his roll book, looked around the room, closed his roll book, walked up to the office, and tendered his resignation. I sometimes think that he still would have been teaching today, if he had gotten more support from the administration. And I can remember meeting a lot of his kids over the years -- a really good group.

karen said...

Trace--thanks, I think 2 of the kids were autistic. They were amazing in some of the things they could write and draw.

Becky--thanks, I appreciate that!

Helen--I hope they call me back! :-)

Bob--U R cool, 2!

Paige--yes, I totally agree...they were stressed, first week of school and their aide kept changing.

Milly--wow, you're right about that..creativity, patience, and distractions....thanks for prayers.

Matt--wow...your dad...I'll bet he did give it his all..17 years at it is a long time...they have just recently started giving more support to Special Ed teachers....I know he had a lot to contend with--I admire him for hanging in there.