I know I’ve said it a few times but I couldn’t have kept myself together without the amazing teachers that worked with my little girl. They were the individuals that were my safety net so many times when I had come to the end of my rope and was about to fall. I had heard that many parents of special education students had problems getting the services that their child needed. They had to ‘fight’ the school districts and teachers on a constant basis; but, I never once felt that way with my daughter’s teachers. They worked hard at teaching her appropriate behavior and giving her skills to help her communicate.  They were miracle workers in my book.  But, more importantly, I thought of them as my friends. What could ever possess someone to choose special education as a profession?  I HAD to take care of her, I HAD to love her, she was MY daughter, MY responsibility, MY concern; but these women had a choice and they chose to help children with disabilities.  And these ‘heroes’ specifically chose to work with children with severe behavior problems and Autism, seven hours a day, five days a week.  That’s not my idea of a dream job.

One of our heroes was named Elaine.  She was my first contact with the world of special education and she taught me so many things.  She knew I was a young, scared and confused mother of a child with so many issues and she fought for me.  I’m sure she went home every day exhausted and tired because of my little one, but she would keep coming up with ideas to break that little girl of some of her most awful behaviors. She also kept me informed about everything they were doing and she gave me ideas of things to do at home.  She kept me on my toes, like a mother would do, but I learned so much from her and gained a world of respect for those in her profession. I became a teacher because of the fortitude I saw in her.

Another hero from those early years was named Maggie.  She was an amazing woman whom my daughter had a special bond with.  She made weekly visits to our home to demonstrate strategies they were using at school so we could implement them at home as well.  She even included “Baby Boy” in many activities, so the entire family bonded with her.  Somehow Maggie could get Lauren to eat her “special” food every day at lunch and she sacrificed so much of her free time to help her, even sacrificing her own body! I became a teacher because of the love and compassion I saw in her.

Paula was the next hero in our insane world. She made me laugh and cry at the same time with her daily writings of my crazy girl’s adventures. She worked tirelessly so that our little girl could be included with her typical peers. She sacrificed her body as well and was there for much of the wrath during those early years! Yet, she loved my little girl and she told me on a daily basis how wonderful she was, despite the awful things she was doing and saying. How could she have still loved her? I became a teacher because of the perseverance and respect I saw in her.

Andrea was another hero we were honored to have. She encouraged me to become a teacher and was my cheerleader during my certification program. When I asked for help, she found the time to provide it. During those early years, there were so many people that were a part of teaching my little girl and Andrea was there for most, if not all, of them. She worked hard at making sure all of her students were safe and loved. I became a teacher because of the dedication and loyalty I saw in her.

I was blessed and I knew it. I truly never worried sending my little girl to school because I knew Elaine, Maggie, Paula, Andrea and so many more were there each and every day. And they wanted to be there.  But, I hadn’t always felt that way. I once worried that no one would love her or want to work with her because she was such a handful, such a stubborn little girl that would drive even the most pious to violence.  That’s why when Maggie passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, we all felt it.  Her death was difficult for the children in that classroom; after all, how do you explain death to children that have difficulties with communication and expressing their emotions?  And how do you explain that Maggie isn’t coming over next week to see us?  Yes, those were difficult weeks and months that we all had to go through.  But, we will always remember her and talk about her accomplishments with each and every child she worked with and loved. The words below were written for Maggie but they were meant for ALL of her teachers. Thank you, Maggie, Elaine, Paula, Andrea and so many more for all you did so many years ago for my little girl.

I sent my daughter to school today,

Not knowing the things that people would say.

She’s different you see,

Not like all the rest,

Even the pious she’d put to the test.

I sent my daughter to school today,

Not knowing the teachers she’d meet on the way.

Would they love her through all kinds of times?

Could they accept her in spite of her mind?

I sent my daughter to school today,

A teacher was there to light her the way.

A teacher whose heart was solid and true,

A teacher whose smile made the laughs come through.

 My daughter is happy in school today.

Because of a teacher who knew what to say.

A teacher who taught her to laugh and to sing,

A teacher who loved her in spite of everything. 

My daughter is safe in school today,

Because of a teacher whose love wouldn’t fray.

Because of a teacher who cared to the end,

And won all our hearts as a very dear friend.

 My daughter’s in school again today,

But Maggie is not I am sad to say.

The answers won’t come,

The reasons aren’t clear.

But one thing’s for certain;

Her Spirit

Will Always

Be Here.