This year I am teaching two classrooms filled with wonderful students many of whom have special needs or disabilities.  One young gentleman with a neurological disorder has had a very difficult year. His parents told him they were getting a divorce, his house was robbed and vandalized and the school environement can be a real challenge for him to follow at times.  He needs a lot of encouragement to complete tasks and does not really enjoy reading or writing.  In addition he does not have any close friends. However, despite the odds, he is a gentle and generous soul.  One of his classmates is a young man with autism that does not speak but utters sounds and yells and generally does not acknowledge anyone else's existence and in return most students do not acknowledge his unless prompted by myself or his aide.

This year for Valentine's day each student decorated a paper bag with his or her name on it with the hopes of having it filled with Valentines or treats from their friends.  Our young man with autism did not make a bag so I made one and wrote his name on it.  On the special day I told the students to put in their Valentine's before recess and we would open them only at the end of the day.  When the children were outside I went to put my Valentine's in each of their bags and realized that my child with autism did not have one single Valentine except mine.  I felt sad not because the young man in question would notice if he had Valentines or not but because I felt that I had not taught the important lessons of compassion and generosity to my students.  I removed his bag and placed it in the room where he usually attends one-on-one with his integration aide after recess.  As the children all filed in after the bell the little boy that has had a difficult year said:  "Miss! Miss! Where is his bag, I bought him some special cookies and chocolates.  I know how much he likes to eat and I thought that since he probably wouldn't get a lot of valentines I would let him know that at least I care" With tears in my eyes I let him go into the other classroom to present his gifts.  This young man had restored my faith in the goodness of people!

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