17 Letters

As parents of a child with special needs, education can be a big struggle, fear or even a fight.  I feel incredibly lucky that we haven't had to fight or struggle.  I have heard horror stories from parents about their IEP meetings and having to fight with their school district to get what they need for their child.  To say we have been blessed when it's come to Beau's schools, teachers and para would be an understatement. 

It started with Castle Hill School and Ms. Tyna and then it was Hansen Elementary and Mrs. Hutchison.  Beau started at Hansen in Kindergarten and was placed in a self contained special education classroom with Mrs. Hutchison and his para, Erin (who was also with him at Castle Hill).  Throughout his time at Hansen, his more structured educational learning has been done in Mrs. Hutchison's room and then his socialization and integration has been in his assigned kindergarten class, first grade class and now second grade classroom. 

We don't generally get to know the classroom teacher that well because a lot of Beau's learning and goals are all through his IEP and his typical classroom doesn't have much to do with that.  It doesn't bother us as we know that a majority of his time is spent with his great special education teacher.  We attend not only an IEP meeting but we attend the typical conference any other parent would attend. It's always pretty much the same.  They tell us he has fun with the kids when he comes in for specials or at recess and that they enjoy having him visit their room.   However this year it's different.  It seems from day one there's been a connection with his second grade teacher - for all of us, not just Beau. 

Mrs. Schulte has been the difference. 

Mrs. Schulte's class has been the difference.

Children learn by example.  Mrs. Schulte has a combination of compassion, love for her job and a knowledge of inclusion and how important it is.  Most days, my heart tells me that while it's important for Beau to be in that classroom participating and playing at recess, it's even MORE important for his typical peers to have him around them. 

Andy and I attended his conference this fall with Mrs. Schulte and we expected it would be like any other conference we had been to. We were wrong.

Mrs. Schulte began talking about Beau and his effect on her classroom and on her students.

And she began to cry.

She explained to us that she could verbally tell us how important it was for Beau to be in her room and how much his classmates loved him and watched out for him but she didn't figure that would cut it. 

So she handed us a folder.

Inside the folder were 17 handwritten notes from his second grade classmates.  Seventeen beautiful, handwritten notes from Beau's friends.  As Andy and I sat there reading them, with tears in our eyes, it was evident to us that these children really knew Beau.  Some of my favorite lines (I corrected the spelling to make it a little easier to read).....

"Beau always has a smile on his face."

"Beau makes me happy when he learns stuff."

"Beau is a caring friend."

"I like to help him."

"Beau makes me happy when he cheers when I make a basket even when I miss."

"He makes me proud because he is always a caring friend."

".....and that's why Beau is awesome!"

".....and who knew he could be like this.  We are so amazed!"

Here is a sampling of those letters....

Most of these children have been together the last 3 years and like any relationship, they get stronger with time.  I remember years ago thinking, who's going to protect my Beau Beau from the mean bullies at school?  He's nonverbal, how will I ever know if someone has done something to harm him?  He wears diapers, kids will be mean, etc.  I've witnessed it myself, I have heard it from his para Ms. Erin, I've heard it from the teachers; these kids are looking out for Beau.  I know people won't always be nice but I have faith in these kids.  It is clear to me that many of their parents have done a good job talking about those who may have different abilities and how to treat them.  Hansen Elementary should be the school other schools aspire to be like.  These children are learning the beauty of being different and accepting those who aren't just like them.

They are learning that our sweet boy is a special person to know. 

He finds joy in the simplest of things. 

He has that toothy smile on his face most all the time.

He cheers for you even when you miss the shot.

He loves unconditionally. 

I guess we could all learn a lot from Beau. 

I don't know that Mrs. Schulte will ever fully grasp what she did for us that day.  It may have seemed like a simple gesture to her but it went far beyond that for our family. 

I made sure that I wrote a letter to the superintendent of the school district with a copy to the principal.  When someone does something so important, it is imperative that they get recognized or acknowledged.  How she came up with such an idea I don't know.  I just know that it made my husband and I feel really good and like Beau was truly a part of his second grade class. 

And to those of you who may be reading this and happen to be teachers; think outside the box like Mrs. Schulte did and strive to have an impact like she is having on her students and their families. 

 

 

"Inclusion elevates all" - Elaine Hall