Admiration from the other side.

I have been helping out in Amelia's preschool class a couple of times a month. The first time I volunteered I felt drawn to come back again. Her class isn't an average preschool class. It is called a peer model class. Four of the students are normally developing and the other ten have delays of varying degrees. Amelia is one of the normally developing kids and had to go through many hoops to get into the class. When I heard about the class I knew it was exactly what I wanted for her.
When you walk into the class there is no time to be a bystander. Immediately there is a child to chase or a nose to wipe. The teacher is on top of every aspect of the class. She knows what each child's goals are and the best way to get them to fulfil those goals. I have total admiration for her. She is one of those people that you immediately feel a kinship with and want to be around. That personality and spirit is what makes her a fabulous teacher. She is one of those people you want to say "it takes a special person to do the job that you do. I know I could never do it". The thing is when I used to teach special education 10 years ago that was something that was said to me on a daily basis. I did not get it then...and used to be almost offended when people said that to me. Now I believe with every part of me that it really does take a special person to do the job. It takes someone who does not prejudge abilities based on limitations. It takes someone who can see past physical differences and treat all the students with the same amount of respect and positive reinforcement. I truly believe this one year of preschool will affect Amelia positively both academically but more importantly in her capacity to accept differences with enthusiasm.