Just wanted to share an end of the year teacher comment with you. (I wish Miss Cindy could type this as I'm sure I won't be able to relay her exact seniments.)
The last day of preschool was spent at a local park with all the parents chipping in to provide a little breakfast picnic for the children. Miss Cindy made a point to come talk to me. (I was so happy to have some adult interactions. Not that I don't know other parents, but they are a bit leary of me and Cooper. Since we didn't start until late October, they can't quite figure us out. Frankly, I'm too busy with Cooper to really strike up much of a conversation.) She went on to tell me how much she is truly going to miss Cooper and his angelic smile. She said that although he didn't necessarily learn the same things as the other children, that he most certainly learned more than some. He knew to come in, hang up his backpack, and sit in the circle...apparently a tough task for some 4 year olds. He learned the routines of lining up, going to the bathroom, snack, to fold his hands at prayer, and to share. They were finally able to understand more of his language, and even heard a word new to me, 'teacher'.
What struck me most was her comment about how much he had taught the other children in the classroom. I know he has taught Pete and I a stack of things, but was never sure if kids, namely my own boys, had learned anything from Cooper. She had witnessed many of the other children who had learned patience, tolerance, and understanding. I was often concerned about his lack of speech and peer understanding, but she assured me, 'they just GET Cooper.'
She recalled one story of a little boy who Cooper was playing cars with. Cooper was knocking him in the chest. This clearly aggrevated the little boy. When trying to tell the teacher, he said, 'but it's Cooper.' Like he knew he wasn't doing it to be mean, just to get his attnetion, but, nonetheless, he didn't like it. The teachers are all wonderful with Cooper and his quirks. They roll with the punches. And at the end, wanted me to know that they were truly touched by a little boy who showed up for socialization, and ended up teaching these women and preschoolers lessons that are never taught in a classroom.
MAGNETIC...that is the teacher's word - not mine. I pray for many, many more of these compassionate teachers to come into Cooper's life. Teachers who take him for who he is and where he is now. Teachers who continue to bring out the best in Cooper. Like I told his Para a dozen times, "you make Cooper look good."
Thank you to all who have worked with Cooper this year...Laura, Cindy, Carla, Tracy, Nora, and that groovey new music therapist whose name escapes me tonight. Thank you.
