A Letter to the Teacher

A Letter to Julien's Teacher:

When my son was first diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder I was worried. I worried about what his life would be like. I worried about him trying to make friends. What if he didn't fit in? What if the world didn't see him the way that I did?

After two years of ABA therapy it was time for school. A new place with new faces. A room full of children that he did not know. A teacher that he had never seen before. A room full of colors and distractions. Twenty one chairs for twenty one four year olds who were all going to school for the first time. These children are all coming from different environments. Some went to daycare, some stayed home, others stayed with family.

Your job was to somehow spread yourself thin enough to meet all of their needs. In one school year you are there to help them adjust to school, separate from their parents, teach them about Jesus, show them how to treat others, teach them how to write, help them to follow rules and the list goes on an on.

On the day that he was diagnosed I started praying for you. I prayed for anyone that would ever be involved in his education. I prayed that he would be teachable. I prayed that you would be comfortable. I asked for God's guidance in your heart. I prayed that you felt supported by me and that I did everything that I could to back you up. Little did I know what God had in store for us.

There's no doubt in my mind that you were handpicked for Julien. Being a Pre-K teacher is a gift beyond measure but there was something that happened the first time that I met you. You embraced me with a hug that I will never forget. I remember getting in my car after the meet and greet with tears rolling down my face. I felt accepted. I felt welcomed. I felt loved.

You went above and beyond before even meeting Julien. You researched, read and studied. You prepared yourself for what teaching a child with Autism might be like. You did this all because you wanted to not because it was a requirement. You did it with grace and love. I was so overwhelmed by the generosity of it all. The fact that you did all of these things just so that you would have a better understanding of what he might be thinking or going through. You met with his previous therapist, you integrated her suggestions into your classroom, you had a real desire to give him the same opportunity that any child in your classroom has.

At night when we pray you always make it on his list. When he does something questionable he will say, "Ms. Peggy wouldn't like this.". When we hung ornaments on the tree yours was first. He remembers things that you say and he implements them at home. He can recite The Rosary and Our Father. He talks about kindness. He has learned about sharing. He has learned about Jesus and the importance of family. He may not seem like he is listening to you all of the time but he is. You have managed to transform my fears about school into peace. He enjoys school even though I know he doesn't always act like it.

You are the answer to prayer for so many Mamas but especially this one. I want you to know that the impact that you have had on our family is beyond measure. You are an absolute treasure.

Thank you for embracing Julien's uniqueness. Thank you for finding a way to include him without taking away from the other children. Thank you for being the gateway to school and taking away any fears that I may have had. There is not one thing that you could have done differently. Julien enjoys himself, he is a part of things, he has friends and I firmly believe that it is because of you and the staff at St. Genevieve that Julien feels the belonging that I always dreamed he would.

I am forever grateful.

xoxo,

Mary-Ellen