Angels in Disquise...

When our daughter started an Early Childhood program 13 years ago, we were frightened. Our child, who had never left our sight for a moment. Our child, who would be scared and frightened away from her home...as if.
Into our lives entered Mary Allen. The first of many angels disquising themselves as teachers.
Mary reassured us, mostly me, that Caitlin would do fine. And she was right. Caitlin flourished away from the restraints of her overprotective mother. Caitlin showed us she was smart, independent and worthy of an education.
When the school Caitlin was in decided she did not need inclusion, we found a school who wanted to include her.
Enter Gail Laubenthal. She took Caitlin to places we c0uld never have imagined. Caitlin soared. She became part of the classroom. The kids took care of her and reminded her when it was inappropriate to stim. Gail taught them diversity. Thank God for her.
Caitlin continued to get Angels every year. In middle school, she became the young lady we always knew she would be.
Now she is a freshman in high school. Very cool.

Erin started Early Childhood with a great teacher. Ms. Cady was very patient with her. She rubbed her back when she would scream and brushed her when she needed it.
Erin is continuing to have the best education we could ever want. She is succeeding far beyond anyones dreams.

Little Patrick had Ms. Cady also, but by then, she became Mrs. Winslow. She loved him and gave him the nuturing he so needed all the time. I was scared, because he was Mommy's little boy. But he needed more than that. And school gave him what he needed.
Sharon Menn was a light at the end of our tunnel. She taught him to respect others and for others to respect him. This is also true of his Kindergarten teacher Tina Mello. Never a softer voice has spoken.

Now, Kiernan. He came in with a bang. This is a difficult child. Hyperactive, crying, destructive Kiernan.
Enter Kelli Dominguez. The most beautiful angel of them all.
She has made Kiernan a thriving, happy, smart little boy. She looks at him as if he were her own. I can happily say that does not bother me. It makes me smile knowing I can leave him and he is loved. Mrs. Rahman is the teacher's aide in this class. She rubs his feet every day at rest time. I won't even do that for him. Is he spoiled or what?

This does not even count the wonderful and beautiful speech teacher, Marsha Ecklund. She raves about my kids accomplishments as if she were bragging about her own children. How lucky her children are to call her Mom.
And Kari Anderson, the OT who told me to untie my apron strings and let Caitlin show me what she can do. I am glad I listened. She was right.

There are many others who have come and gone in our lives. I am taking the time to thank them all now. They will never know how much they have meant to us and our family. How much they have let our children be just that, children.
For that, I thank them all.

But, I guess that is what ANGELS do.....