Meanwhile, Kyle's current teacher sends me texts or emails fairly
frequently to let me know how Kyle is doing, or to ask a question about what
Kyle likes or what his behavior might mean. He's new to high school and can't
tell me about his day. She's fully invested in making school a success for him.
He loves her. He loved the teacher who sent me that note, too. He has loved
every teacher of special education he ever has had.
Kyle is an excellent judge of character. I would just like to give
a huge gratitude whoop to the people who lead our special education classrooms,
and the paraprofessionals who serve as aides in those classrooms. They aren't
paid enough. Some students with challenging behaviors sometimes hurt them.
Every student has an individualized education plan. They adapt curriculum,
environments, activities and their teaching approaches to meet the needs of
their students. They run into parents who sincerely hope their child never has
to set foot in their classroom. Their students rarely give passionate senior
speeches about their awesomeness. They are overworked and underappreciated.
They're chameleons, they're advocates, they're coaches, they're firm, they're
soft. They are love. What they are not, by the way, is paid enough.
Kyle may face challenges of understanding and compassion out in
the general education environment, but venturing out into the stormy seas of
inclusion is oh so much easier when you have a safe place to land, a soft place
to fall. A place that challenges and embraces you all at once. That's exactly
what a good special education teacher and her paras provide. Thankfully, Kyle
has had a lot of great special education teachers throughout his life. We are
the better for them.
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