Of 'blank faces' and 'talking to wall': Why be a Special Needs Teacher?

This post is sparked off by a comment to a friend that I do envy teachers who work with mainstream children, now that I work in a childcare setting whereby chattering are non-stop the moment I step into the centre. It's a joy to see children responding to every word and action you do/ say.

However, this is usually not the case when working with children/ individuals with special needs, but what exactly keeps us going? I am sure many will be curious.

Why, then do you continue to be a Special Needs Teacher? 

For the few hours you teach a day, many times...

- You get blank faces staring back at you -

So, you work hard at every new lesson you are going to deliver to make sure that you get to the ground with the children and with every success you achieve, you actually see the sparkles on the eyes of these children

- You exclaim to yourself and your teaching partner, amidst lessons, "I feel like I am talking to the wall!" -
So, you work hard at animating yourself aka being a clown, because seeing a smile on their face would mean that you have broken the ice and they will look forward to the next lesson with you

- You yearn much for a volunteer during the learning activities, but you usually get none -
So, you learn through these experiences the importance of 'child-centered teaching' rather than 'teacher-centered teaching'. You learn to humble yourself in front of these children who are teaching you new lessons every now and then

- You see their enthusiasm in fun activities but they end up getting upset with themselves in their inability to do the tasks without help -
So, you keep yourself up-to-date of the best and fun activities that these children can engage in, such that no matter how many times they fail, they will be vying to be the next to go again, until they have proven to you that they are your worthy students

- You know that there are much that these children want to say, but many are not able to express themselves well -
So, you master the art of second guessing every action, word, expression and whatever that is being observed in them. There comes the time whereby one look from them, you would know what they were trying to express, and that would bring comfort to them where the world is seemingly not understanding them

Your heart aches, at every failed attempt to be the best teacher in their hearts, but you know that you will continue to give your best to them...

When they jump for joy upon seeing you back after your long absence from work
When they work hard at every chance to show that they are all deserving best student of the class
When they know that you probably have had a hard day and behave themselves without you telling them
And when you see them shedding that passiveness to one full of zest and confidence

Only when you are part of this growing process with these children, will you realize how much life lessons you have picked up from them, that make every effort worthwhile.

And yes, that's "something even the most well paid job cannot give you".

Are you loving what you are doing? I am!

Be proud of what you do. Now, watch these videos to feel inspired.

"Miracle Worker" by Taylor Mali (Live version) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSDPhhfEY5A




"Miracle Worker" by Taylor Mali (Poem version) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o53i0kL6-Jw




"What Teacher Make" by Taylor Mali - http://youtu.be/fuBmSbiVXo0



"I thank God for my handicaps, for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God." ~ Helen Keller

Rabbits - Rabbit School (Phnom Penh)

The Rabbit School; I wonder why this school that caters to people with special needs is named after the Rabbit. I supposed it will have something to do with the significance of Rabbits and I found these explanations to be the most in line with what I would believe.

House rabbits symbolize 'Bravery' as they defend their territory against human, cats or dogs. Rabbits are also seen as 'Service to others', being a 'prey' to predators in real life as well as the 'pray' imagery when they bring their paws in front of their faces to wash themselves. Rabbit as a companion to human beings has also been seen as teaching one about 'Unconditional love' and 'Compassion for life'. Finally, rabbits have the symbolical meaning of 'Playfulness' and 'Joy'.  ~  http://www.rabbit.org/journal/4-11/symbol.html

Certainly, these are what I actually learn from these people with special needs after working with them for the past 5 over years.

The Rabbit School is founded in May 1997. It is located within the premise of National Borey for Infants and Children, and is the only school in Cambodia that caters to children and people with special needs. The school is located in Phnom Penh and thus the students may come from all provinces of Cambodia. There are also mainstream schools that included students with special needs that the Rabbit School work closely with in order to allow these people with special needs to have the best services they can.

http://www.rabbitschool.org/

After speaking to the Head Teacher, Mr Hun Touch, I sensed his struggles to equip the teachers and staff with the necessary skills to work with the children as well as his worries for the future and quality of the programs for the students due to possible lack of funds in the coming years. 

Mr Hun Touch welcomes support and help in the following aspects (however, this list is not exhaustive)

1) Teacher and staff training/ sharing by trained personnel

- Most of the staff in the Centre are not certified. They are very versed in the practical aspects of working

  with the students, however they need more theoretical knowledge of people with special needs such as
  understanding what Autism is about.

2) Fund raising (work on how they can raise more funds)

- Currently, some of the projects such as the Rabbit Cafe had to stop functioning in the town of Phnom Penh

  due to funding issues from donors.

3) Volunteers

- The Centre is hoping to have a constant pool of volunteers who can help out with working on the children

Pre-vocational training at Rabbit Cafe - Paper Beads Bear

How can you help?

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you think you have any ideas/ organisations/ projects/ people who can help the Centre in providing for the children with special needs. Like what Mr Hun Touch had also said, it all starts from advocacy, with the awareness, help will come more easily.

The next time you are in Cambodia, I will urge all of you to drop by the Centre to volunteer your service.

“Accept the children the way we accept trees—with gratitude, because they are a blessing—but do not have expectations or desires. You don’t expect trees to change, you love them as they are.”  ~ Isabel Allende