The perspective change I need every year

I’m an elementary special education teacher. Usually around this time of year (second week of September) I am feeling burnt out and wondering why anyone would ever become a teacher. <br><br>Today I watched a video on you tube of a non-verbal child with autism using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for the first time. The child’s first words were “I love my mommy and daddy.” The child then realized they could communicate and started saying things like “I’m hungry, I want juice.” The video ended with the child saying “I love you mommy, I love you daddy, goodbye mommy, goodbye daddy.” <br><br>I get to do this with my students every day. They are not typical and they are not like my friends’ kids, but they are amazing in their own way.<br><br>Sometimes I wonder, “Why am I here? Am I making a difference? These kids need such individualized help- can I really provide it all? Should I apply for a general education position in the building where the kids don’t require this level of care?”<br><br>Today I am reminded that what I do, and more specifically why I do it, is very important. I am here because these kids deserve to have a voice, whether that is through spoken words or unspoken words. They deserve a teacher who understands and appreciates the milestones they make. I do not just teach academic skills, I teach skills for life. Learning to walk at 8 instead of 1 is life changing. Tolerating sound for 1 second longer than you did last week is life changing. Eating a piece of ketchup covered chicken nugget (for kids with feeding issues) IS LIFE CHANGING. <br><br>I will end by saying that I hope more people consider special education. If you are patient and you love kids, this could be the most rewarding job for you.