Yesterday was graduation. It was a good day. The poem below was read to us by the Dean of the School of Education:
An Ode to Teaching Students with Severe Disabilities
(or "What Do You Teach Them, Exactly?")
by Holly Cooper M.S., vision teacher
My friends when they ask the job that I do
Say, "What a kind soul you must be,
"Such patience, such care, such goodness, such love,
"But what is it you teach them, exactly?"
I can't say I teach the banker to count
Or the artist to paint the sky.
I may not teach the lawyer to argue
Or philosopher to ask why.
I never have taught the preacher to shout
Or the nurse to care for the poor.
I don't really teach the doctor to write
Or the athlete to know the score.
I tell them I teach kids to smile and to wave
I teach them to sit up and look.
We like to blow bubbles that float in the air
And I foster an interest in books.
I teach them to touch things, we laugh, and we learn,
We bake cookies and eat them all up
We make friends, we go places, we work and we cry
And learn how to drink from a cup.
We put things together, we take things apart,
I teach kids to paint and to glue.
We sort and we match, we tear and we snip
And I teach students grooming skills, too.
We work on our projects and then clean them up,
We put our supplies away.
I demonstrate, model, I prompt and I guide
Constantly throughout the day.
We share life with others, we find ways to talk,
I adapt electronic toys.
We play games that teach us and reinforce skills,
Use computers to help us read stories.
I try to teach Moms to not worry too much,
To not fret over each milestone.
I try to teach Dads to take joy in their child,
Not leave care to Mom alone.
So you take your algebra, physics and art,
Keep industrial technology.
You can have chemistry, homemaking, gym,
Social studies is just not for me.
I'd rather sing songs, fly kites, and plant seeds,
Practice opening and closing the door.
I'd rather teach life, work, play, and love
To my students who sit on the floor.
If I had one wish that I would express
I like where I am, I'd say,
I like laughing and loving, but there is just one thing,
Could you send some more teachers my way?
Seriously guys, if you or someone you know is interested in a career change to this field, let me know! I'll answer any questions you may have and direct you the right people. Leap with me!
