April 26, 2013
I'd like to share a little something
that happened this week. (Sorry it's so long!)
As many of you know, I work at an Elementary School with Special Needs kids. We have a cute little Down Syndrome 6th grade boy in our class. He has a wonderful regular ed 6th grade class who he goes to preps (computer, PE, library, etc) with, and I am his favorite Aide, so he usually chooses me to work with him, walk him to class, and go on field trips. He is a little guy with a HUGE personality and lots of love to give.
On Wednesday, I walked with him to lunch, helped him fill his tray, and let him choose where to sit. He usually chooses a table with few or no people on it, where he can sit and concentrate on eating (he LOVES food :) ) He picked a table with one girl at it, and as soon as he set his tray down, the girl let out an annoyed sigh, picked up her tray, and moved to the other side of the table. My protective instincts kicked in, and I wanted to tell her off, but I bit my tongue and quietly said, "That wasn't very nice. He's not going to bite you." She glared at me, rolled her eyes, and turned away.
The next day, I was still feeling VERY bothered and angry at the way she treated him, and as we walked down to the lunch room to get his food again, I was on the defense. He filled his tray and picked an empty table to sit at. As I was helping get him situated, from a table next to his full of boys, I hear "Hi ----- (my student's name)! How ya doin' Buddy?" My student said "Hi" and I asked if that was his friend. "Yeah," he said and then rambled on, mostly incomprehensively, but I picked up that the boy's name was Jackson, and he goes to scouts with him. Then I hear from behind me "Hey guys, I'm gonna go sit with -----" and proceeds to pick up his tray and move over to our table. More boys walking by, stopped and said "Jackson, can I sit with you and -----?" They all sat down and as I was trying to hide my tears so I wouldn't embarrass them, I thanked them and left my boy in Jackson's care.
Thanks Jackson, for reminding me that even though there are kids who don't like things they don't understand, or kids who are just mean, there are still good, kind, caring kids around, who think it's not as important to be "cool" as it is to make others feel welcomed and accepted. Thanks for reaffirming my faith in the rising generation.
As many of you know, I work at an Elementary School with Special Needs kids. We have a cute little Down Syndrome 6th grade boy in our class. He has a wonderful regular ed 6th grade class who he goes to preps (computer, PE, library, etc) with, and I am his favorite Aide, so he usually chooses me to work with him, walk him to class, and go on field trips. He is a little guy with a HUGE personality and lots of love to give.
On Wednesday, I walked with him to lunch, helped him fill his tray, and let him choose where to sit. He usually chooses a table with few or no people on it, where he can sit and concentrate on eating (he LOVES food :) ) He picked a table with one girl at it, and as soon as he set his tray down, the girl let out an annoyed sigh, picked up her tray, and moved to the other side of the table. My protective instincts kicked in, and I wanted to tell her off, but I bit my tongue and quietly said, "That wasn't very nice. He's not going to bite you." She glared at me, rolled her eyes, and turned away.
The next day, I was still feeling VERY bothered and angry at the way she treated him, and as we walked down to the lunch room to get his food again, I was on the defense. He filled his tray and picked an empty table to sit at. As I was helping get him situated, from a table next to his full of boys, I hear "Hi ----- (my student's name)! How ya doin' Buddy?" My student said "Hi" and I asked if that was his friend. "Yeah," he said and then rambled on, mostly incomprehensively, but I picked up that the boy's name was Jackson, and he goes to scouts with him. Then I hear from behind me "Hey guys, I'm gonna go sit with -----" and proceeds to pick up his tray and move over to our table. More boys walking by, stopped and said "Jackson, can I sit with you and -----?" They all sat down and as I was trying to hide my tears so I wouldn't embarrass them, I thanked them and left my boy in Jackson's care.
Thanks Jackson, for reminding me that even though there are kids who don't like things they don't understand, or kids who are just mean, there are still good, kind, caring kids around, who think it's not as important to be "cool" as it is to make others feel welcomed and accepted. Thanks for reaffirming my faith in the rising generation.
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