by Tinoy Mama

Created on: June 13, 2008

Anyone can regurgitate material they read in a text book or teacher manual to a room full of kids. Anyone can write information on the board, assign homework and compose a test to see if the students retained any of the information. However, a great teacher not only teaches the material; a great teacher also inspires and makes the students hungry to learn more. A great teacher cares not only about the students' academic achievements, but also works to help them integrate socially and intervenes if there is a personal problem that hinders their learning.

When my son was two years old he was diagnosed with autism. At age three he entered a special education class through our public school system. His teacher was Monica. Monica was not your typical special-education preschool teacher; she was also a mentor to all of the parents who, shell-shocked over a recent diagnosis of their child were at a loss of what to do or how to help their kids.

Before school started, Monica came to visit all the kids in their homes to get acquainted and to answer any questions the parents had. She gave her home phone number in case we needed her after school hours, and answered e-mails within hours of receiving them. She was quick to comfort and give hugs (to both the kids and the parents), but was also strict and very matter-of-fact when she needed to be. She ultimately helped us help our children, and taught us about being happy with our lot even when happy seemed as far away as the Sun.

My son is now seven, and is in a regular school in a typical classroom. While I know how hard I worked to get him to this point, there is no doubt in my mind that Ms. Monica played a huge role in getting him there as well. Three years in her classroom transformed my child. Thankfully, Monica is still a part of our lives. She is always available if I have any questions about my son's disability, and we visit each other regularly. A couple of times a year my son and I visit her classroom, and I feel like I have come home.

Ms. Monica may not have taught my son to read or write. She did not teach him addition or subtraction. She did, however, give him the tools he needed to integrate in society. She taught him to play, and how to be a friend. She inspired my little boy to learn, and was thrilled and proud with every little achievement of his-as if she were his parent as well. Ultimately Ms. Monica gave us all the self confidence we needed to step out into the scary real world and survive-despite the disability. That, in my mind, is what makes a great teacher.

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