Being a teacher

A few days ago, I posted this on Facebook,


"Teacher thought for the day..... If I grew up exactly like my student did, with the same advantages and disadvantages, the same parents, the same life, I would act the same way they do. Sure, as we get older, we can choose the person we want to be. But, until we are 'done' we are a product of our environment and experiences. So, show some extra patience and love to one who seems unlovable..."

This is a thought that I believe to my very core. It is something I have said for a long time. It seems so many times that teachers are angry at students for their behavior, and that is understandable, but because their behavior is based on the path they have been on, we need to try to find ways to invite them to a different path.


Don't get me wrong with anything I have posted on this blog, I am all too human and I slip a LOT into anger and frustration when working with kids. However, I always try to understand where the child is coming from. A few years ago, I led a group in my school called the Student Assistance Team. I met and interacted with a lot of parents and their children and the overwhelming thing I learned was that the child is too often a reflection of what they have lived with (which can be positive or negative).

So having said all that (and I do tend to go on), what difference does it make? I believe that good teachers try to reach these students where they are and try to lift them to a better place. Not by making excuses, but by seeing where they are and shifting what we do as teachers. 

One thing I say a lot in my life as a teacher is "try to see the child and not just their behavior." In fact, I would like that to be what is said about me when I retire from this profession (in a long time). I can think of no better way to describe what I have tried to do. Again, I have failed many times, but I believe kids are 'not done yet' and there is always hope.


On my computer at school, along with pictures of some of the people I love, I have this quote, "Together, we will journey beyond the darkness. The star of hope will guide the way." Gerda Weissman Klein From the final screen in the movie "Wings of Epoh".


This blog post is for you PR!

Wings of Epoh is a Winner!!!

Wings of Epoh, which I have blogged about before, has won "The Rights of the Child Award" at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival! If you haven't checked it out, you must. It is a beautiful story and a beautiful film. It was cooperative project with SARRC (Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center). The book was written by Gerda Weissmann Klein, famed Holocaust survivor and author. It was lovingly illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds.

The film was produced by FableVision.

Hope One Mile Ahead

I have always been propelled by hope. But I never relied as much on hope as I have this year.

This sign is on the way to Minneapolis on Interstate 35. What a great thought..."Hope One Mile Ahead." So, if you lose your way on the journey...if things didn't seem to turn out how you wanted them to...if all seems lost... Hope comes in and saves the day.

So where do you find hope? That's the thing, it's is everywhere.

The laughter of a child.....the promise that in the darkest time, you will laugh again. There is something about being around children and listening to their gleeful laugh. I spent Friday night with me great nephew....I left filled with hope.

The random email from a friend.....brings back a memory a smile and something to hold on to.

The smile from someone who loves you...you know you are not on the journey alone, even if it feels like it.

A book, blog, video, tv show.... yep, hope can be found in the strangest places....if you look for it.

The sweet note or text message from a new friend.

Inside you.....even when you can't feel it or see it, lurking in you is a strong hope. A guiding light. Hope is one mile ahead...if not closer!

And if you have abundant hope, pass it around! Share something you have seen or read that inspired you. Take care of your friends or even a stranger. Share what you have learned and share hope!

"Together, we will journey beyond the darkness. The star of hope will guide the way." Gerda Weissmann Klein. The quote appears on one of the last scenes in the video of "Wings of Epoh"
If you haven't read "Wings of Epoh," I guarantee you will love it. I have spoken of it a lot on this blog...I framed the story before on this blog with its true intention, it's about a boy who is autism. But, this week, it was about me and it was about hope. You will understand when you watch it or read it. "Epoh" is hope spelled backwards!

You can buy the book and video from my friends at FableVision. Use AMBSHAY for 10 % off..... and while you are there, maybe you want to pick up "The North Star" "The Dot" and "Ish".... Make it an inspirational school year!

Might as well make a disclaimer here for skeptical people. I don't work for FableVision.....I just love what they do and the people they are.

Lack of Communication-Autism Perspective

In my music class, I have had an autistic student for the past four years. In the beginning, I tried many different ways to reach her. When she was in third grade, I found out that she sang "You are my Sunshine" at home all the time, so I taught it to the class. Then, when I learned she knew sign language, I bought a video and taught the class the alphabet and some basic signs for colors and animals. Both of these attempts were met with outbursts. . . Unpleasant outbursts. I am not sure what was happening, but my guess was that the world she lived in and the world I taught in had collided and it made her feel uncomfortable. I kept attempting to reach her by holding a hand and getting her to create a beat with various instruments.

This year, while other students were working on a heavily academic assignment, the student was listening to Masterworks of music. One day, I gave her some paper and said, "Draw what you hear." She proceeded to draw a beautiful representation of the CD Player! I laughed....a lot....and at myself! She did exactly what I asked her to do. She drew a picture of what she heard. Up until this point, when I asked a question, she repeated what I said...including BOTH answers. If I said, "Is this good or bad?" She would reply, "good or bad." On the day of the drawing, I asked her if the music sounded happy or sad. She immediately wrote the word, "Happy" on the paper. True communication occurred! HAPPY!

In that one bright shining moment with the picture and the word, I felt like together we had accomplished a connection.

This year, Peter H. Reynolds illustrated a book called, "Wings of Epoh" (Epoh is Hope backwards) written by Gerda Weissmann Klein, the noted Holocaust survivor. The book is available from FableVision and SARRC. It is a truly moving story of acceptance. I knew it would be a good book....I had no idea how good. Last night, Peter sent me an email to let me know he had published a cartoon on YouTube. Please check it out and check out the book. If you have tried unsuccessfully to truly communicate with someone the book and video just might give you the motivation to keep trying!