Thanks for sharing that Andy. Nice to hear good news from time to time. I've been around and interacted with some special needs folks over the years. It can be very frustrating, difficult and rewarding. Not many folks can or will take on that challenge. Good on you for doing it so these kids don't get left behind.
I was fortunate to have a few teachers growing up that made a big impact on me. My 6th grade teacher and I really seemed to bond, he was into photography, as was I. He had a small darkroom set up in the closet in our classroom and would let small groups of us learn to use the equipment. He was patient and kind and made learning fun. Mr. Goodwin. He was also the person that was called out of class suddenly one day to reappear and have to explain to us that President Reagan had been shot. The rest of the day was spent trying to help a bunch of 6th graders understand what that meant and that things would be okay. He also had the unfortunate task of sharing that one of our classmates wouldn't be returning to our class after his mother had drowned in front of him the day before. Again, trying to explain a difficult situation to a bunch of kids. He handled it with grace and calm.
I did have some teachers that made me hate school, but for the most part, they were good. In our school, every teacher (or teacher's aide, custodian, librarian, etc.) was Mr., Mrs. or Miss. No informal addresses were used. It's unfortunate, but I think the days of more formal address are slipping away.
I was fortunate to have a few teachers growing up that made a big impact on me. My 6th grade teacher and I really seemed to bond, he was into photography, as was I. He had a small darkroom set up in the closet in our classroom and would let small groups of us learn to use the equipment. He was patient and kind and made learning fun. Mr. Goodwin. He was also the person that was called out of class suddenly one day to reappear and have to explain to us that President Reagan had been shot. The rest of the day was spent trying to help a bunch of 6th graders understand what that meant and that things would be okay. He also had the unfortunate task of sharing that one of our classmates wouldn't be returning to our class after his mother had drowned in front of him the day before. Again, trying to explain a difficult situation to a bunch of kids. He handled it with grace and calm.
I did have some teachers that made me hate school, but for the most part, they were good. In our school, every teacher (or teacher's aide, custodian, librarian, etc.) was Mr., Mrs. or Miss. No informal addresses were used. It's unfortunate, but I think the days of more formal address are slipping away.
