Blog Post: Teaching Special Children in Arizona

Working with special needs children is one of the most rewarding careers one can have. Can you imagine making a difference in the life of a child in a way that is so profound that the child reaches a life skill that otherwise may never have happened? Let me tell you about Eric. I was supervising a special education student teacher in a cross categorical classroom where children of varying ages and disabilities worked together to learn how to live in a confusing and often unforgiving world. The student teacher used many modalities to reach the needs of each student and on this particular day the children were going to make ice cream. Complete with zip lock bags, ice cream mix, a gallon of milk, and ice cubes, the children add the ingredients to the bag and began to shake them furiously, awaiting with great anticipation the signal from the teacher to open and eat this new concoction of cold confection. Eric lived in a wheelchair and although 12 years old had never held a spoon on his own let alone be able to shake the bag of ingredients that were about to become delicious ice cream. As the classroom aide shook and shook the bag of ice cream mix in front of Eric ,the anticipation continued to build until totally unexpected, Eric threw back his head and laughed aloud. Yes, he laughed out loud for everyone to hear, a laugh of pure delight. The entire classroom of students cheered and yelled, "teacher, Eric laughed, he laughed, teacher." A milestone indeed for this beautiful boy. We take so much for granted when we laugh, hold a spoon, and dig into a bowl of ice cream. Wouldn't you like to be that kind of teacher? The kind that finds ways to help a child laugh. The kind of teacher who can be creative in finding methods to reach every child who deserves to experience life to its fullest? Come to Arizona and teach our special needs children. Come join a great group of special educators and make the difference in the lives of children who need you. Register for the Great Arizona Teach-In Education Job Fair at www.teachinaz.com. We are waiting for you. :0)