"Just make sure the kid doesn't run away."

You know you will have a rough day when you sub in a special education classroom and you hear the words "just make sure the kid doesn't run away." Yup! I have had individuals say this to me before and that's all the instruction I get. I hate subbing in these situations. Now don't go thinking that I have a thing against students in the special education classroom. Because I love those kids. Some of them show more gumption then a lot of adults I know. I hate days like that not just because it's exhausting but you know that the kid is not getting the help they need.

So you can imagine why I was a little nervous when I was called in to sub for a para in a special education classroom. I have never subbed in this classroom. Before I walked into this building I do a little dance to please the education gods. When I reported for duty, I found out that we are doing a field day. (This means we get on a bus and drive to the town 7 miles away so we can do activities you would do in track. FYI: I'm dressed professionally. Greeeaaaatt.) At this point I am thinking that I have done the dance for a rough day. Then I get into the classroom. May I say the SpEd teaching in that classroom is soooo awesome.

I spent the first hour of the day talking with this teacher about great instructional strategies and putting those strategies into practice with the kids. On top of the super star teacher, the kids were amazing. They were very helpful in showing me what they normally do and they were so well behaved.

After writing in our journals, we headed off to field day. We had two kids. There was two of us. How perfect is that? I took the girl and the SpEd teacher took the boy. We settled ourselves and waited for our kids to have events. Turns out my student could only do two events (there was like 15 or 20.) I felt very disappointed for my student. She wanted to do so much more. (I don't blame her! They dumped us off and didn't leave us anything to do while you wait. Can you say boooooring!) So needless to say my student was restless. I found that she loved to race me. (Remember I'm wearing dress shoes.) I felt like we were having a good time. My student also got to enjoy hanging out with some of her friends in her own grade. Then came time for my student to run her 50 meter dash. The SpEd teacher asked my student if she wanted the SpEd teacher to run along the side while my student ran. The student shook her head and pointed at me. How could I say no?!?! So I ran the 50 meter dash in dress shoes and cheered on my student all at once.

The SpEd teacher said she thought I was very impressive with the students. I think the real impressive person is her. SpEd teachers are truly amazing. I don't know how they do it! I think I would spend most of my time crying. Not that I would cry because I would be depressed but these kids can really bring out the emotions in you. I would cry because I would be proud, frustrated with the world, sadden by how unfair things can be but most of all I would cry because of how wonderful those kids truly are. SpEd teachers you are amazing people and a true contribution to society.