The Doctor is In

The 120 students that I am currently teaching have been very well behaved during my first week of school. Most students raise their hands and have been following our classroom rules. Sure, there have been some talkative students that I have had to have "hallway conferences with," and I can already point out individuals whom I will likely have to make a phone call home in the next 7-14 days. However, all and all, these students have been great! I've been learning more from them than I believe they have been learning from me. Every single one of them has a very unique personality and I think I'm getting the hang of all of their names.

Toward the end of last week, I have come to the conclusion that there has been a class that is quickly becoming one of my favorites to teach. My seventh hour social studies course is composed of about twenty-four eighth graders with an even mix of boys and girls in the class. However, what sets this class apart from the others is that I have about five students who possess various forms of down syndrome and cognitive disabilities.

I was a little intimidated to have such a large percentage of students possessing such strong educational needs. Although they do have an aid with them at all times during the day, I was still concerned about my personal preparation and lack of experience in teaching students in special education.

After the first week, any intimidating feelings that I once possessed have completely disappeared. These students are the most pleasant individuals (not just students) I have ever been around. Their enthusiasm for life is something that I really envy! They enter the school building with a huge smile on their face, never miss an opportunity to say "good morning" to me when they see me in the hallway. Even more impressive is that they always say their "pleases" and "thank you's"...even when I hand them homework.

Their sense of humor is something that is truly special as well. One of the students, we'll call him Jonathan Hanson, raised his hand in class the other day while the students were working in groups of three. I came over and asked him, "Jon, how can I help you?"

Jon kind of gave me a frustrated look- a look that made me concerned that he was going to make a scene in class. He picked up his paper, pointed to the top, and said, "Mr. Anderson, please don't call me Jon. My name is Dr. Hanson." Sure enough, Jonathan's worksheet had a name written at the top reading, "Dr. Hanson." The doc then looked me in the eye, gave me a huge smile, and gave me a big "thumbs up." We both burst out laughing and my cheeks hurt by the end of class. I was later told that day by his aid that Jonathan told her, "Mr. Anderson is SOOO cool!"

My respect for seventh hour is not all about these five individuals. The remaining 20 have my complete admiration as well in the way they embrace and take each of these students by taking them under their wings.

I recently allowed the class to work in groups of three on an in-class project. The special ed aid and I had a brief talk about whether the five students should work with her, or cooperatively with other students. I suggested that they get involved with their classmates for the first project, and if changes needed to be made, we could make them. She agreed.

We began looking around the room and eyed-up groups which we felt would make good matches for these five individuals. She and I politely asked groups if "so and so" could join; hoping that a scene wouldn't erupt where we would need to lecture an adolescent about including students with special needs.

To my suprise, not a single student batted an eye at the thought of allowing one of these boys and girls to join in their group. One student even said, "I'd love to have ____ join! Come on over!" to which all members of the group welcomed him with a high-five. It was really a great scene to witness thirteen year olds, students who are traditionally very cruel and torturous to anyone different than they are, to embrace an opportunity to help a peer. I have a strong feeling that this particular class will be a very special bunch.