It breaks my heart when I hear kids utter:

“I’m not good enough.”

“I don’t want to be different at school.”

“I’m embarrassed when I keep getting pulled out.”

“How come nobody wants to play with me?”

“I don’t care anymore.”

It breaks my heart when I hear parents say:

“How can the school say everything is fine at school?  They have no idea what my child is thinking, feeling, agonizing over everyday at school.”

“Why can’t my two children both go to our neighborhood school?”

“Just once I would like to see some positive comments in my son’s communication log.”

“I have a hard time sleeping most nights, worried about what my daughter’s life is going to be like after high school.”

“Why does it have to be such a fight to get your child included in school?

It breaks my heart when teachers explain:

“This is the way we’ve always done it.”

“I wish I could help more, but my job is on the line.”

“Your child’s not ready.”

“He is doing the best we can expect, remember he is low functioning.”

“Your child deserves more and the district is throwing up roadblocks, hoping you’ll give up and go away.”

As an advocate, I often come home after meetings and think, Are you kidding me?  Is this how students, and parents are still being treated?  Is this what teachers are really saying?

And just when I am feeling discouraged, I receive an email from a parent struggling to get the help their child needs, asking for support…and I know, ain’t nobody got time for broken hearts.

When there are kids crying because they are embarrassed about being different, I know broken hearts aren’t going to get us where we need to be.

Knowing there are children who believe it is their fault for feeling like a failure, I know it’s time to keep making a difference, even if it is one kid at a time.

And on those wonderful days when I hear: “My teacher said I’m so smart, she knows I can do it.” or “We had a fabulous IEP meeting!  The team really cares about my son.” Or “I’m your daughter’s fourth grade teacher, she is one of my students, just like every other fourth grader.” I close my eyes and remind myself that change is happening.  We have no choice, we gotta keep on keepin’ on.

So, as we continue with this school year, let’s be there for each other! I am here to help your child have a year of delightful learning, to be your guide on the side as you advocate for your child, and to assist teachers in finding ways so every child can be seen as a capable learner.

Let’s keep making changes together!