For more years than I’d like to
recall, I lived with chronic pain. It was difficult to hide from anyone at my
school, but I did my best to make sure it didn’t get in the way of my teaching.
I would pace the back of the room during faculty meetings because I couldn’t
sit for more than 15 minutes at a time. I would lie on the torn hunter green
vinyl couch in the teacher’s lounge when no one was around even for five
minutes just to take the pressure off. I didn’t want pity, and I didn’t want
anyone to feel obligated to make concessions for me. But in my quest to appear
strong I never received compassion either. No one understood why I couldn’t do
bus duty or hall duty. They couldn’t see the source of my pain and it wasn’t an
easy thing to explain. It’s hard enough dealing with our own afflictions. How
can we then nurture those students whose special needs baffle or even disturb
us?
Students
with learning, physical or developmental difficulties battle daily for a chance
to learn. Some disabilities are easy to see when they wheel down the hallway or
open their mouth to speak. Others are less visible, and some are even hidden
from our view. Some students will go to great lengths to go unnoticed, while
others have no way to control their explosion onto the scene. They don’t want your
pity, but they desperately need your compassion.
How
do you respond to a child in need, especially a child whose needs you don’t
readily understand nor relate to? Discomfort might sometimes slow us, but it
should never stop us from answering the call God has placed on us – to reach
and teach His children.
Another’s
infirmity is your chance to bestow an act of mercy or compassion. But we’re all
disabled in some way. In your own feeble state you, too, can do whatever it
takes to strengthen yourself even in your weakness, so that only holiness will
be center stage and not your disability.
Each
child placed in your care this year is by divine assignment. If you catch
yourself cringing when you realize the extra paperwork, additional conferences,
and accommodations and modifications you’ll have to make for particular
children, take a breath and remember it’s not a mistake. Your class roster is
filled with children hand-picked just for you. When their many needs threaten
to overwhelm you, be encouraged that God always equips those He calls.
Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and
weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be
disabled, but rather healed. Make every effort to live in peace with all men
and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no
one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble
and defile many (Hebrews 12:12-15).
If
a child’s affliction feels like a thorn in the side to you, be mindful of it
for what it truly is – a way to keep you humble, a reminder to be more
compassionate, and an opportunity to pour grace by the buckets full on anyone
within reach. Their afflictions should never be a burden to us. God will give
you the grace new every morning so that you in turn can give grace to those who
need you the most. I know it’s hard, but remember, you’re practicing your acts
of mercy.
Vicki
Caruana is an assistant professor of education at Mount Saint Mary College in
New York as well as the author of a number of books to encourage teachers
including Apples & Chalkdust, Kisses of Sunshine for Teachers, and Recess
for Teachers. Visit her website for more encouragement at www.vickicaruana.blogspot.com