Funny...but a little gross too!

I was just thinking back to a little kiddo (3 years old) that attended the Montesorri School that I taught at for a few years during college. He was a really funny kid with a very dynamic personality. Anyway, one summer day we're just sitting outside on a picnic bench shoot'n the breeze and I said, "So, how's your mom doing?" He says, "Oh she's good, but she got a cut". I said (as the very caring teacher that I am), "Oh that's aweful, did she put a bandaide on it?" His reply was, "Well, I don't know...she was bleeding in her underwear!"

KIDS---They teach the best lessons.

The ones I will never forget:

TJ--18mth old boy diagnosed with Autism; my first observation of him was a two hour session during which all he did was spin anything that would spin (all day). He had very little emotional connection to anyone. One day I started to spin things with him--that was our connection--he turned and looked at me. I started to teach TJ how to request using words "more" and "open" to no avail no words, no eye contact and very little interaction with people. Several months later we discovered that TJ loves animals, his first word was "elephant"--go figure! Second word---"Mommy"! TJ you taught me that motivation was what you needed to talk!

Steven--4 1/2 year old boy who left off every initial consonant in all words (made for diffuclt sentence structure). Steven's way of introducing himself to any new person was always, "_y _ame is _even and _y _ad _ixes _oilets, _e's an _umber!" tranlsation= "My name is Steven and my Dad fixes toilets he's a plumber!" Steven you taught me that communiaction is key to connecting to those you love, when this is difficult keep trying to get your point accross even if it means you have to draw a picture!

Lucky--5mth old baby boy with Down's Syndrome, born without any heart complications; hence the name Lucky. I worked with Lucky for an entire year, most beautiful child I ever put my eyes on! Lucky has a great family, his mom's worst fear, "Who will take care of Lucky when I'm not around, ya know in the furture when he's grown?" Lucky's older brother (12 years) says, "I will, Mom...actually Lucky will take care of me!" They live in a really rough neighborhood, his brother figures that taking care of Lucky will give his life direction and keep him on the straight and narrow. Lucky, you and your wonderful family taught me that when life gives lemones I should make lemonaide!

Windows of learning.......

The passages documented in this blog are windows; transparent portals that look inward to a specific time in my life when I have learned strong life lessons that have changed my worldview. I owe all my windows to teaching, through teaching I have learned more about myself than those I have taught!