you've got a heart so big
Yes, I have a thankless job. Yes, I complain about it all the time, how I’m not really a college student anymore, etc. I declare about every other day that I want to drop out of the program. But I’ll be damned if today wasn’t the most honest, most remarkable way of looking at a child… And I think I need days like today to remind me that it's okay that I'm in the place that I'm at.
Until the end of finals week, I’ll be at Oak Hill School working in a fifth grade classroom of students with moderate to severe and profound disabilities. I’ve spent the past two days getting to know them and interacting with them, but today was the Special Olympics. Make all the jokes you want, but really, the only thing better than winning the Special Olympics was being there to watch these kids win.
I was in charge of three boys - the children with problem behavior, of course. Worried and apprehensive, I met with my charges prepared for the worst. But what I found was that these kids wanted to do just what they were supposed to do: win. I’ve never had more fun at an athletic event - and that definitely includes Alabama Football. The kids were really something to cheer about, and they were all such champions and winners. And most of all, I think they were able to feel special for something they did, and not for something they were labeled.
I’m sunburned, exhausted, sweaty and sniffly, but it was all worth it. Congratulations to Marcus, Anthony and Clint - they won their events just by showing up, and they won my heart with their spirit.
Until the end of finals week, I’ll be at Oak Hill School working in a fifth grade classroom of students with moderate to severe and profound disabilities. I’ve spent the past two days getting to know them and interacting with them, but today was the Special Olympics. Make all the jokes you want, but really, the only thing better than winning the Special Olympics was being there to watch these kids win.
I was in charge of three boys - the children with problem behavior, of course. Worried and apprehensive, I met with my charges prepared for the worst. But what I found was that these kids wanted to do just what they were supposed to do: win. I’ve never had more fun at an athletic event - and that definitely includes Alabama Football. The kids were really something to cheer about, and they were all such champions and winners. And most of all, I think they were able to feel special for something they did, and not for something they were labeled.
I’m sunburned, exhausted, sweaty and sniffly, but it was all worth it. Congratulations to Marcus, Anthony and Clint - they won their events just by showing up, and they won my heart with their spirit.