So, as a first time teacher, the only experience I have had in the classroom was student teaching. I then became a substitute and was averaging 3-5 days a week at one of the local elementary schools. I got a call one early morning and one of the instructional assistants was sick from the preschool and they wanted me to come in and sub. I did. The experience was great with all the kids and one little boy stuck to me all day long. He has down syndrome.
He wanted me to play with him in the little house and go down the little slide, which obviously was way too small because it was made for preschoolers. He was the sweetest little thing ever.
Subbing for an instructional assistant later led to me subbing for other assistants as well. This led me to the modified classroom at the elementary school. I had never worked with students with severe special needs and knew there was a reason for me being placed in that room.
The first day there was a little rough. One of the little boys is in a wheelchair. I already had my own expectations picked out. He can't do what others do...I'm sure he's not treated as nicely as the others...how is this going to work out.... All these things ran through my head. I wasn't giving the best expectations for this child and had no idea what he was capable of. This is where his lesson to me comes to play.
I was asked to help him with his morning work. I was very glad to. The teacher and other assistants explained what I needed to have him do. I walked over, introduced myself and sat down next to him. To my surprise the first thing I get in return from him is spit in the face... This is something common that he does. He doesn't mean to or mean anything by it, it's just what his brain tells him to do. It's a very rare and strange disease that he has.
The day went a little rough and when I got home I was absolutely exhausted!
I then got called to go back again in the following weeks. This time I was going to be there at least 3 days in a row. I was in for it.
All I could do was pray. Pray that God would help me through those days, pray that I would have the strength to make it through the day with this student, and pray that he would finally accept me being in his classroom.
Amazingly, I was no longer spit on, he would ask me to take him to the bus at the end of the day, and he would ask if I would be back the next day. I had broke through the chains. He wanted me there and I was amazed. My expectations had completely changed in those days as well. He's EXTREMELY smart. It may take him a little longer to get his answer, but when he does he's usually right. He's an awesome little guy.
I now looked forward to being in that room when I subbed. I looked forward to going and surprising him.
I learned a lot from this child and he is an absolute gift from God, not just for his family, but for all of us too!
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