I think Special Education teachers and paras are some of the greatest people on the planet. The demand placed on them from parents, administrators and federal laws is a weight I don’t think I would ever attempt to carry and I’m sure there’ve been times that it sucks all the joy out of your calling. Here’s what I’d like to say to you today:

Thank you to my autistic son’s first teacher. You were tough on him, but I knew you loved him. There was so much about special education I didn’t know and I was scared to death about sending my non verbal child to school. Your tight ship and boundaries created an environment where Jude was very successful. You sent me videos of his progress and we were so amazed at what you could pull out of him. (Julie Rogas)

Thank you to the kindergarten teacher who showered my daughter with Down syndrome at least four times this week after she pooped out the diapers that were too small for her. Her medical supply company still hasn’t sent the larger ones and it kept slipping my mind to run to Walmart and buy bigger pull ups. You never once made me feel like she was a burden or that you were upset with me for forgetting. Thank you also for making sure I got plenty of pictures during her first week so I knew she was ok. (Lori Lewis)

Thank you to the para who stopped me in a sea of parents as I registered my autistic son Jude for the new year when he was in elementary school. There was so much I wanted to know but he couldn’t tell me. You made sure that I knew how much you loved him and that you counted it a privilege to see him grow. I’ll never forget the email you sent pouring out beautiful things you loved about my son. That was when his behaviors were starting to scare us all and we were so uncertain about the future. It moved me, my family, AND the superintendent to tears that you could see the boy we loved despite all the struggles. (Stacy Melton)

Thank you to the para who told me over and over what a blessing my son was and how much you loved him when he was 9 years old. Even though he tried to bite and scratch you every day, you were genuinely excited to greet him when he got off the school bus each morning. You even found out what his favorite food was (beef jerky) and cut them up into bite size pieces placing them in your home depot tool belt you bought just for that purpose. Your creativity and determination to see him succeed at school meant the world to me and it actually worked. (Debbie Easley)

Thank you to the teacher who cried when she talked about my autistic son’s progress he’d made that year in elementary. Your genuine joy around Jude was a testimony of your deep love and unmistakable calling to children with disabilities. I knew from day one that you loved him unconditionally and he was going to be in good hands. (Sally Hendricks)

To the teacher of the year who my son was so privileged to have, I always admired how you leveraged Jude’s wild imagination to naturally teach him. You never worried about the mess or bazaar requests he made. You met him right where he was. Thank you also for driving with me to the Terrell State Hospital to admit him for long term treatment. His aggression was too much for me to safely handle from home, and my husband had just broken his leg. You were the first person I thought to call during the crisis, and you immediately came, even though it was during your vacation. (Paige Mayes)

Thank you to the para who made sure that Jude got to see his Papa’s funeral online at school since attending in person wasn’t possible for him. It broke my heart not to have him there so you brought the memorial service to him. His death was so confusing and devastating, so you prayed with him, and even had mini church services at school to help him process what happens to someone when they die. Thank you for driving me back home after I left Jude in Terrel. Your presence was a true comfort to me and I know it was to Jude too. (Daniel Baldwin)

Thank you to the behavior technician with grit, fierce loyalty and undying compassion during the most violent time of our son’s life. I didn’t even know until recently that he had fractured your wrist two years ago. You never once felt sorry for yourself or wanted me to know how hard it was. The physical strength that helped you go toe with his meltdowns, couldn’t come close to the strength in your heart to never give up on him. (Christy Volm)

I could go on and on naming educators who left imprints on our hearts, not even mentioning those of whose kind acts we’ll never know.

Special Education teacher and para, do you see the common thread in all these heroes? What meant most to me as a momma of a special needs child had nothing to do with academic achievement or FAPE compliance. What meant most to me was knowing my kids were loved. I may not speak for everyone in the special needs parent community, but I’m pretty confident that I represent the vast majority when I say, that is what matters most to us.

So, if you’re worried about making a difference in the precious lives entrusted to you over the next 180 school days, remind yourself of what will impact them most. The parents who have them for the rest of their lives will never forget it and will be eternally grateful.