The other day I got a phone call from a former student.
Not just any student, but one that I shall never forget.
Martin (we shall call him) was often the center of attention, and often the center of the other kids’ teasing, in my special ed classroom. Martin was fairly bright, tall, somewhat uncoordinated, and he had a temper. You never knew if a chair would go flying partway across the room. But Martin also had a soul. He tried to discuss his feelings with the other kids – frequently to no avail.
At Martin’s IEP (the Individualized Education Plan required by law for all special education students), I figuratively and literally stood up for him. During a break in the meeting, the District higher-ups, so obviously present at the meeting, took me aside and said something like, “We in this District, do not ask for such-and-such a placement for our students.” I felt my back straightening as I proclaimed that, as Martin’s teacher, I am also his advocate. I stood my ground, insisted on the services that I believed Martin needed and, in the end, was successful.
Martin and his parents never forgot me, or what I did for Martin during the three years he was in my classroom. That’s part of what they told me as they showered me with praise the other day in that phone call I mentioned.
Martin, his parents related, did very well in his private special school. In fact, he is currently preparing for college.
It’s now 4 p.m. Time to leave for Martin’s graduation.
Afterwords
I’m back. Martin recognized me. I almost didn’t recognize him – he grew quite a bit. Martin’s warm family welcomed me, and thanked me for helping Martin in grades 3-5. I felt honored.
What’s that saying? “Help one person, and you’ve helped the world” – or something like that.
What a nice day.