She has a heart for special education students
“I started working at Travis Elementary about six years ago as a substitute teacher. Then they asked if I wanted to do a full-time position. So I began doing that, and then they moved me into the special education department. I’ve been there for three years as an inclusion paraprofessional.
“I didn’t have a background in it. I guess it was the way I worked with kids, like adapting the lessons to what they need. It’s all about spending quality time with them. There are so many that just get pushed through the system without being noticed for what they can do that is special.
“A lot of kids think, why am I even here? I’m just here because I have to be. I’m not ever going to need this. I’m no good at it anyway. That really gets to me when they say they’re no good or they’ll never be able to learn something. What’s the point? I want them to know that there is a point. That somebody cares.
“Of course their parents care and their teachers care. But I like to show them that I really care about them as a person, as this special one that likes to color purple. I try to know the color they like and what their favorite animal is. I want to know them like I know my own kids.
“I feel like I have a special relationship with the kids, especially one group of fifth-graders who are special ed kids and are in the same homeroom. There’s this one special boy who’s a challenge. He’s so sweet. But he’s so frustrated because he doesn’t believe in himself. He was the last one I hugged in the hallway before the students left for spring break. I told him that I loved him and to come back safe to me after the break.
“But now, because of the situation we’re in with the coronavirus, I’m realizing that I may never see some of these fifth-graders again. That makes me very sad. I really miss those kids. I miss their smiles. Not just smiles with their mouths, but through their eyes. And I miss their hugs.”
— Darlene Houseman
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