According to Data and Research, there is nothing that links a special education teacher to being special. Ahhh the common phrase we get told so often that "it takes a special person to do what you're doing" is flat out wrong, and I do mean this with the most respect possible. The job we do or want to do one day is not easy, I will agree with you on that, but it is a passion and a calling and there is nothing else we would rather be doing with our life.

So instead I urge you to...

Call us DETERMINEDwhen we sit with a nonverbal student and try to figure out why they are crying and cannot tell us why they are upset because they do not speak or sign, but no worries we will figure it out.

Call us STRONG when we end our day with bruises and scratches and come home after a day with a student who was frustrated.

Call us MOTIVATING when we get a child up and interacting with others, who at the beginning of the school year would barely bat an eye to activity with other students.

Call us POWERFUL when we push students in wheelchairs around and do transport lifts all day.

Call us PASSIONATE when we talk about our students littlest successes as if they were our own children.

Call us LOVED when our students hug us.

Call us LUCKY because at the end of the day we have the best job in the world and we love what we do every day.