Author: Patty

Teaching has changed from 1976 to today… (note – all the names used here are pseudonyms) A vantage point shaped by time and experience I began training for teaching at a time when Special Education was just becoming a defined career field. Because of my age and the length of my career, I am uniquely […]

I recently spent a morning serving as a guidance counselor in a public school building. What unfolded with one little first grader reminded me why parental attachment matters more than peer influence — especially in the early years.   I had many fun interactions with cute elementary children, but one student, who I’ll call “Ameena”, was […]

Caden once attended public school, but his parents realized it wasn’t working for him. Caden was born deaf. No one at school noticed until third grade, when a teacher finally referred him for evaluation. After a cochlear implant and recovery, he returned to the same school—but was never referred to Special Ed. He was placed […]

Mateo – unconscious assumptions bare fruit Mateo, was quite a gift from God to me. He rapidly became “my favorite student” when I took over teaching a first/second split in a private school. He was a spunky first grade guy with a quirky, nerdy sense of humor. I liked EVERY student in that class exceedingly, […]

I first met Adom when he was in first grade—a strikingly handsome little boy with a serious face. While he was mostly developing typically, it was his challenges with social cues that brought him to my attention, and ultimately gave me the privilege of working with him.  He began to frighten his peers because he […]

Every child’s learning journey is unique—and faith-filled encouragement and targeted support can make a lasting difference. Faith and hard work netting success For several years, I worked at the school connected to my church. It was a genuine privilege. One particular year stands out to me even now—because of the students, the challenges they faced, […]

Audrey, meaning noble strength, was a fourth grader that year. Audrey had an emotional, anxiety struggle that was a barrier to learning. Her parents were fighting frequently and she feared a possible divorce. She had frequent tummy aches during the school day. Her teacher learned to let her come visit me when it hurt. Somehow […]

Eliana’s success story shows how unique learning styles can be a gift. See how special education consulting helps students thrive. Eliana was a freshman in high school when I first met her. She was a diligent student who worked hard, but despite her best efforts, she was struggling to make passing grades. Her mom brought […]

My favorite people! I am a teacher. I have been very fortunate—not to teach a large number of classes, but to teach a large number of special students. This distinction matters. Though I cannot use real names or photos unless I have explicit permission, each of these stories represents someone real. If you recognize yourself, […]

Sensory Strategies for Impulsive Kids: Walking With Alina Helping Children With Autism Manage Impulses: Alina’s Story Parenting a child with special needs can feel overwhelming—especially when impulsive behaviors and sensory struggles are part of daily life. Over the past 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside a young woman I’ll call Alina, whose […]