I just left the home of my long time childhood best friend. We talked about many things but the one thing that made me think the most was our work/volunteer with children with special needs. It really got me thinking about the path God has set before me. How it started, the journey, where I am now, and the future I am looking at. I have come to realize that the next 6 months are going to be significant for me.
OVERWHELMED, NERVOUS, EXCITED, THRILLED
Within the next 6 months I will be:
1) Finishing up my final year at the preschool I have worked at for the past 6 years (Lots of IEP’s, matriculation reports and paperwork to be done)
2) Finishing my Masters in Developmental Disabilities (Masters project, and an additional class)
3) bidding a temporary fair well to my families and students that I have worked closely with at my Tae Kwon Do school
4) Preparing to launch on the World Race in September
I have my work cut out for me for the next few months but I have an awesome support system of family and friends and between that and my faith I will be prepared for it all!!!! But as I am home for the Holidays I cannot help but think about the path that I have been lead on. The people and experiences that God has given me that has lead me to where I am today. And if you stick with me, I would like to share it with you.
When I was in elementary school I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I learned early on because I had the privilege of spending most of my lunch and whole recess time, starting in 3rd grade, with one of the best Special Education teachers in the business. I remember rushing through my lunch just so I could get to her classroom. I would help out with the students in her class, watch how she worked with them, and watch her teaching style as a whole. She, as well as her Teacher assistant and the individual aides in her class had a passion and skill for what they did. She took teaching beyond just lesson plans. It was way back then that I realized; This is what I want to do, I want to have an impact on these kids, just like she has. Now, in 3rd grade I know my thought process wasn’t as in depth as it is today but I knew, even back then, that although those kids may have had some limitations, it did not mean that their future was not bright. All we had to do was find something they excelled in, enjoyed, or showed success in and help to enhance those skills. It was amazing, going into that room was the greatest part of my elementary school time.
I was one of the youngest volunteers at that time to help out with my elementary schools Special Olympics program. I remember my first year and the student I was assigned to. Oh how he LOVED to just run away and not participate. I remember actually getting him to do the activities and the pride I had for him. Then watching them all compete with other elementary school kids from the county, there is no other word but WOW!!! I was proud of all of them. Seeing their faces light up, seeing their parents. These are the experiences that stayed with me.
In sixth grade I started volunteering at my school districts summer school. 6 weeks out of my summer, I worked Monday-Friday, 6 hours a day. I did not complain once. I LOVED IT!!! Not only did I meet more staff who had such passion for this population but I learned about all these different disabilities. I made more connections to people who had significant impacts on my life and the career path I chose. I still keep in contact with them to this day. And just in case you are reading this (which I hope you are), THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart because your passion and knowledge are appreciated beyond words!
I volunteered for 4 years at the summer school, up until the time I turned 16 and then I was hired as an Individual Aide (where I was assigned to work with one particular student and became legally responsible for working with them). I remember receiving my first paycheck, and who handed it to me. The next 6 summers I worked as an Aide. The people I met, my role models, the students I worked with, the experience as a whole was just unforgettable. And has shaped me into who I am today and where I am going.
I moved to South Florida to attend Nova Southeastern University for my undergrad in teaching k-12 Special Education. My program started in August and my January of that school year I started my full time Job as a teacher assistant at the preschool for children with autism and related disabilities. . I learned even more about Autism, but now more in depth as I had the opportunity to worked closely with all different specialists in the field. I paid close attention to all the different teaching styles, to all the different techniques; to what worked, and what didn’t work. I learned how there will never be two students exactly alike and how teaching, reactions and body language have a lot to do with how each and every child learns. That every child has great potential, that every child can have success but that potential and success needs to be based off of that child and that child alone. They can not be compare to anyone else. “Once you learn to appreciate the small victories there is of need for a finish line.” Man was this true. It was the little things that become the greatest accomplishments. Not for me, but for my students. Seeing the changes they made from the beginning of the year of the end, even if it was a few changes, it was successful for them and that’s all that matters. Helping them to succeed.
After I completed my undergrad, and received my teaching certificate a spot opened up at my preschool for a Teaching position. What a different world that was for me. More responsibility, more paperwork, more planning, more thinking, more stress. I was ready though. Again, I had a strong support system, I stayed positive and ended what was a great first year as a teacher.
Now in my final year at my preschool, I cant help but look back and appreciate every moment I spent there. All the hard times, all the good times. Its another opportunity that has help me grow and learn in my career.
You know that saying “If you love what you do, you don’t have to work a day in your life.”
Well I am certainly not in the teaching field for the pay, but my passion is to make an impact on not only these kids lives but the lives of their families as well.
I received an email, on Christmas actually, from one of my old student’s family. It was simple, and yet it drove home the exact reason I do what I do. Besides from Happy Holidays it was an update on how their child is doing and it ended with this statement, “we just wanted to let you know, that we are forever thankful, and immensely grateful.”
There is no greater feeling. I do not need millions of dollars in my life (but I’ll admit, it would help). =) God has provided me with a passion that rivals anything else. I appreciate the experiences in my life to the fullest. The people He has led me to, the experiences He has shown me.
My journey started 16 years ago. And yet I feel as it is just beginning. I have so much more to learn and the passion to learn it. So as this school year comes to an end, as I complete my masters, I want to go out into the world. I want to spend time supporting people who may not otherwise have emotional or spiritual support. I want to spread hope, joy and love to those in other countries. I want to Thank God for the path he has led me on by showing other the same love that He has bestowed upon me. If I can help to change one persons life each month while on this journey then it will be beyond worth it. If I can make one child smile, or even show others how to help children with special needs and how to focus on their Abilities and not their disabilities, that they do have a bright future, we just may have to change OUR exact expectations of them. If I can help to repair/build a school/home/church, help those who feel hopeless to know that there are people who do care and want to help them in this world, then a year away from my passion, from my family and friends, and from a world that has been “comfortable,” will be more than worth it.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
This is my path, and I am excited for what God has planned for me. My only hope is that you will help to be a part of my journey both emotionally, spiritually and financially. I can not do this on my own.
Love you all,
Sending all my Blessings,
Shannon
