The alarm goes off, it’s 5:30 am and the start of a new day. The alarm being my first support of the day, waking to the soothing sounds of classic rock! Groggy from being awakened just two hours earlier by a teething baby in pain, I grab a cup of coffee and watch a little news. Coffee and news being another integral support to the development of my day. How does anybody know how to dress if they don’t watch the weather forecast? Awakening two sleepy children, another huge support day in and day out, their smiling faces and genuine love help me realize the “real” priorities in life. Two children buckled in to their car seats and we are off, the car being another essential support, especially when you live in the country! Drop the kids off at the sitters, another support; it’s hard to trust anyone with your children so it is so important that I have a reliable and trusted individual to care for my children when my husband and I are at work. On to work, still drinking coffee! Love it! 16 truly unique five and six-year-olds support me throughout the day, I learn as much from them as they learn from me. And of course they don’t let me forget a thing, children being so routine oriented and all. “Mrs. Youngs, we forgot to do calendar!” Mrs. Youngs, we always do handwriting before music!” My co-workers, another huge support, collaborating, sharing ideas, and holding each other up.
At the end of a long day, I come home to one of my most essential supports, my husband. One who listens to my stories of the trials and tribulations involved in teaching, one who believes in me and supports my passion for education and encourages me in my pursuit to further my education. And of course, the one who helps with daily tasks that I wouldn’t be able to do on my own.
Supports are an essential part of life; they range in significance from cell phones, alarm clocks, and cars to husbands, children, and mothers. Supports provide individuals with the means to live a successful and fulfilling life.
Imagine life without a stable home, without a real place to call your home. Imagine not ever really having your own room, your own books, your own toys, your own clothes to wear. Many of the children I teach live this life. Education is the answer, supportive mentors, teachers, and adults play an integral part in the everyday lives of these children who desperately want to be loved and cared for. As educators you may not always be able to change the way a child lives, but it is our responsibility to provide the best possible care and support for our students and provide families with supports ranging in degree from crayons and pencils to help their child complete their homework to information to keep them connected to local support services.
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! We have a lot of similar supports! I also like your take on imaging a challenge. I thought of a disability, but you address much more common challenges that children we work with face on a daily basis. No matter how common they are, they can still be very difficult to cope with. Thank you for this perspective!
Laurie
I really enjoyed reading your post. I like how you took us through your day pointing out the many different supports along the way. It is true that many different types of things support us, often without our realizing it. Things like alarm clocks, coffee, and a hot shower help many of us make it through the day, but we forget they are privileges that many of the families we serve have to do without.
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