Greetings from the other side of the computer screen! I have been a faithful reader of Aiden's blog since I for over 2 years. I am Miss Kate and I was blessed to teach Aiden during his first two years at The Little Light House. I am honored that Stephanie asked me to be a guest blogger during Down Syndrome Awareness Month. She asked me to write about what it is like to teach children with Down Syndrome.
In a nutshell, I think I get all (or most) of the joys that parents of children with Down Syndrome get, without all (or as much) of the heartache. You know what I'm talking about--when a child...runs across the room into your open arms...crawls up onto your already occupied lap...reaches out to you for comfort...laughs with you so hard you think, "This must be what heaven sounds like." I get a little of the heartache, too. You know this as well...a phone call confirming another heart surgery...a failed test that you prayed so hard he would pass...tears of frustration because his speech development hasn't kept up with his cognitive development, but he has so much to say...those horrible standardized tests (that I have to administer) which in no way measure the ability or progress you see. So, I travel on that emotional roller coaster, too...just as a teacher, rather than a parent. My highs are probably not as high, and my lows not nearly as low.
I see my role as supporting the parents and the family, while loving and teaching the child. I'm fortunate to teach at a private, Christian (and tuition free!) school. I get to pray with my students every day. I pray for (and with) their families. I teach color identification at the same time I teach about Joseph's colorful coat that his daddy gave him. During farm week, I teach about muddy pigs while we play in chocolate pudding. And when I teach about sheep, I teach about our Shepherd.
My grandpa often tells me how special I am for the job I do. Others say it takes such patience to teach kids with special needs. I get that nodding, tilted head and sweet smile when I tell people that I teach preschoolers with special needs. But, really and honestly, I'm blessed to teach.
I'm blessed to teach kids that are survivors, fighters, miracles, unique and amazing individuals, with a tiny extra chromosome. I'm blessed to know parents who should have honorary degrees in medicine. I'm blessed to witness ordinary miracles such as crunching on a cheese puff after years of Stage 3 baby food and signing words for the first time to a song that's been sung every day for a year. I'm blessed to share my joy with others, in hopes that all the world will come to know the value and the love that comes with that extra Chromosome 21.
I am blessed to teach.
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