Good Teachers Make All the Difference

This past week was Teacher Appreciation week, and I was very excited to be able to pamper Ethan's teachers a little bit. Each day Ethan would take his teachers a small gift, and Ethan LOVED doing this! Note cards, candy, drinking cups, etc.....very small things in comparison to what these amazing teachers have done for Ethan.

Last week, Ethan's classroom teacher told me that she caught him reading a book to another student.....sitting side by side together. That is amazing....both the actual sitting & the sitting NEXT to a child. She also told me that he sought her out & verbally asked for her help with something. She said that this was a first time. AWESOME! His speech therapist told me this week that she is working with Ethan on being quiet & LISTENING to others. This small statement almost had me in tears. It wasn't that long ago when I didn't think Ethan even HAD a voice....and now he is working on controlling it. AMAZING! His occupational therapist sent home several things from earlier in the school year, and the change from then to now regarding his penmanship is OUTSTANDING!

All of these things happening are because of Ethan's awesome teachers. They not only care for Ethan but they push him to do his best every day. I love that! They have told us that he is doing very well with transitions, he no longer fully relies on his support aids, his speech is better than ever before, his motor skills are becoming solid, and his social skills are growing a little each day. The word "thankful" just doesn't do justice to how I feel about Ethan's teachers. Grateful? Blessed? Who knows. But these 4 women are laying the ground work for Ethan's future success.....and they are doing a FANTASTIC job! We couldn't be happier!

I also am so thankful for Ethan's two Sunday school teachers. They, too, love & care for Ethan. They are teaching him about Jesus through crafts, singing, stories, play, and through their own lives. Awhile ago, I attended a Temple Grandin conference, and a woman asked this question: "How can we teach children with autism about Christianity? A very non-concrete concept?" Dr. Temple's answer? By living it out in your actions. Show them what it means to love your neighbor. Show them what it means to love like Christ. Show them how to follow the 10 commandments. Show them, show them, show them.....

Awesome.

And Ethan is blessed to have 2 teachers that show him & show him & show him. This week, after reading My Church Party, one of Ethan's teachers came to our house. Since we hadn't gone to church this Sunday due to our weekend road trip, we hadn't received any of our weekly Sunday school materials. So.....his teacher brought them to us. Are you crying? Because I am! Thank you, Ms. Randi!

Good teachers make all the difference in the lives of children. I knew that as a teacher, but now that I am a mom....I see it first hand. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to all of Ethan's teachers! We are so blessed to be under your care & knowledge. You have all impacted this family's life for the better in so many ways. We love you!!!!!

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me

and do not forbid them for of such is the kingdom of Heaven." Amen!