In
August of 2009, I started a part time job as a paraprofessional at
Stepping Stones Educational Therapy Center. This is a center for
special needs kids with developmental, physical, and intellectual
disorders and delays. There are also classrooms for typical children
from birth to four years old.
I
worked twice a week in the older ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis)
classroom. Since I do not have a degree in this field, I only
understand ABA to mean hands on and a lot of one on one time. There
were 2 of us adults in the classroom for 4 boys ages 7-10. We worked
on learning letters and numbers, matching, and fine motor skills, to
name a few. As much as I love them, they sure were a handful.
After
Thanksgiving break that year, I was moved to the 4 year old
classroom. In this room, there were both typical and special needs
children. This was definitely a change of pace. Everything was
scheduled out perfectly as to keep the children entertained and out
of trouble. Since Christmas was approaching, we told the story of
baby Jesus and how He came to fix our hearts. My heart would melt
every time they would say the name Jesus in their precious 4 year old
voices.
I only
worked in that classroom for 3 weeks before Christmas break, which
actually concluded my time there since I was about to embark on the
World Race.
To be
quite honest, I don’t feel like I gave it my all when I worked there.
It was a struggle
for me to want to go in the mornings. I would come home stressed
in the afternoons. I was so new in that atmosphere that I found it
overwhelming and
aiming straight at my inadequacies.
I
didn’t have a degree.
I
didn’t know enough.
I have
never really been around kids with special needs.
I
didn’t know how to communicate with them.
I
didn’t know what would set them off or how they would act.
I just
didn’t understand anything.
A
little more of a background for you, I used to be
terrified
of children with special needs. While on a mission trip to Africa in
2007, I saw every form of special needs, but with no help or
medication. It was a hard time for me and I did not engage well with
the kids due to my fear.
I
started the job with my
ignorance
glowing… I didn’t really want to know more about special needs or
the different disorders, sadly, it was just a paycheck for me.
…..
but, I
FELL IN LOVE.
Throughout
my 4 months, I realized that my inadequacies were insignificant
compared to how much I was willing
to love them. I may not have known anything about their situation,
but I learned how to care
for them, how to teach
them, and how to show
tough
love.
Toward
the end of the World Race, Stepping Stones was on my heart big time.
I felt like God wanted me to go back- that He was going to give me a
second chance. A chance to look at this job as ministry and not just
a paycheck.
It’s
funny how your motives change when you are working for God instead of
putting money in the bank.
To
read about my second go-round at Stepping Stones, please stay tuned
for part
2.
