She has been going to a typical preschool this school year, with many of her services (speech therapist, teacher, music therapist) pushed-into her class.
The preschool is at our local vocational school. There were about 12 high school senior girls who participated in this program.
It is modeled after a 12:1:1 program, however there are always at least 3 student teachers in the room at any given time.
Sometimes the student teachers would be a little over-bearing with Leah.
Sometimes they would try to do too much for her.
Sometimes she needed it.
Sometimes she didn't.
Each of them worked with Leah.
Most of them learned to push Leah further then they thought they could.
They all learned to accept Leah without her diagnosis at the forefront of their mind.
All of them loved her.
I sent her to this program specifically because I wanted her in an environment where her typically developing peers were, and most of the children in this program are from our local school district.
My thought process in this decision was, if I want her to be mainstreamed, I should start her in a mainstream classroom from the beginning.
Leah was the first child who has Down syndrome to ever be in this program.
We have had to make several adjustments in her services in order to give her the best possible experience and to make it the least restrictive environment for her.
But...
This program is incredible!
They were always willing to accommodate for Leah.
Their philosophy is "Learn Through Play."
It is a perfect philosophy for us. :)
So...
At the end of the day today, the student teachers shared their goals next; where they were going to school; what they were majoring in; who they were hoping to become after high school.
Of the twelve student teachers, FIVE of them are planning on pursuing careers in special education!
I thought that was pretty cool and I told the lead teacher what a great thing it was that those girls were planning those careers.
The lead teacher said:
"Mrs. Sones, there was no student who was planning on majoring in special education at the beginning of the year. They all wanted to be teachers, but not ONE was planning on special ed. It is because of their experiences with Leah that they are choosing these paths. Working with your daughter has inspired them to become more then they thought they could. We have been very lucky to have her with us."
Bring on the tears.
Bring on the pride.
Bring on the joy.
Bring on the hope.
Leah has impacted so many lives in her short three years on this earth. And, today we were given five examples of it.
And, not only has she impacted those five student's lives, but think of all of the children who those student's will teach!
Incredible.
I know things change and these girls are young.
They very well could decide a career in special education is not the path for them.
But today, MY kid inspired them.
What more could I ask for?
(These are the future special education teachers:))
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(This is Mrs. Burdick, the lead teacher. :))
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