Oh Katie, I am spending my youngest’s nap-time reading about a new therapy/counsellor to try for my son who struggles with emotional dysregulation (which has taken over our lives-hard relate to always being on call!). Anyway, my brain was hurting so I came to read your piece as a little treat and now I’m weeping. Weeping at how hard this is for you but also at this grace - the kind of grace I think I’d maybe stopped believing in? Thankful for Miss K and thankful for the hope you keep dishing out in your writing 💖
Oh gosh, this made me cry. Miss K is a true hero. Years after them being out of school, my parents still laud the special educators who supported my neurodiverse brothers the most. A couple of them from elementary school even came to their high school graduations 🥹 The Miss Ks have a way of still being around even after our formal time with them has passed. Prayers for you all during this school year!
Katie, the way you find gold in your life and bring it to light is an inspiration. So glad you have Miss K in your corner. ✨ Praying for both you and Cannon this school year.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m an educational assistant and am feeling worn thin from the first few days of school here in Ontario. This reminder of why I do what I do was exactly what I need this evening. I want to follow Miss K’s example of relentlessly creating space and connection.
This made me cry. What a precious gift. And just think of what Miss K’s love does for Cannon, even if he can’t express it. That kind of love is bound to leave a lasting impression.
I have tried to find the words to share how this made me feel, but tears seem to be the best I have today. This was beautiful Katie, what a grace Miss K is. I pray both you and Cannon continue to encounter many more people with Miss K energy on his journey.
Katie, my friend Sandy tagged this post on Substack today and encouraged us to grab tissues first. She was correct. Thank you for sharing this vulnerable and beautiful story.
Before I retired from teaching in 2016, I spent the last 5 years of my teaching career in a K-2nd classroom for kids with autism; your son's behaviours and the saint of a principal who cares for him ring true with my experience.
Our district near Seattle was one of the first to have a program for Kindergartners with autism and we had 4 of the most challenging children I've ever encountered. Non-verbal, violent and behaviour issues were a daily occurrence; I spent the first 6 months crying most every day after work.
Miraculously year by year, with our repeated training and patience and repetition, many of them changed and grew because of a lot of love and care.
A few weeks ago one of the paraeducators I shared my job with sent me a photo of her one-on-one student A. now the shopping cart guy at one of our local grocery outlets. It took sixteen long, persistent years, but miracles happen--may God continue to move so in your son's life.
We have a student with autism in our school this year and this was such a refreshing perspective. Thank God for the Miss K’s … I hope we can be like her!
Oh, Katie. I wish I could give you a big hug and love on your children. Miss K sounds like she is an answer to many prayers. And speaking of prayers, you and your children are in mine. I’ve read your journey and smile and weep. Stay strong, you are doing mighty work.
Oh Katie, I am spending my youngest’s nap-time reading about a new therapy/counsellor to try for my son who struggles with emotional dysregulation (which has taken over our lives-hard relate to always being on call!). Anyway, my brain was hurting so I came to read your piece as a little treat and now I’m weeping. Weeping at how hard this is for you but also at this grace - the kind of grace I think I’d maybe stopped believing in? Thankful for Miss K and thankful for the hope you keep dishing out in your writing 💖
This brings tears to my eyes. For all the Mrs K’s of the world. Yes and amen.
Oh gosh, this made me cry. Miss K is a true hero. Years after them being out of school, my parents still laud the special educators who supported my neurodiverse brothers the most. A couple of them from elementary school even came to their high school graduations 🥹 The Miss Ks have a way of still being around even after our formal time with them has passed. Prayers for you all during this school year!
Katie, the way you find gold in your life and bring it to light is an inspiration. So glad you have Miss K in your corner. ✨ Praying for both you and Cannon this school year.
😭 not all heroes wear capes.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m an educational assistant and am feeling worn thin from the first few days of school here in Ontario. This reminder of why I do what I do was exactly what I need this evening. I want to follow Miss K’s example of relentlessly creating space and connection.
This made me cry. What a precious gift. And just think of what Miss K’s love does for Cannon, even if he can’t express it. That kind of love is bound to leave a lasting impression.
Okay, now *I* have a girl crush on Ms. K. What a gift she is to the world.
I have tried to find the words to share how this made me feel, but tears seem to be the best I have today. This was beautiful Katie, what a grace Miss K is. I pray both you and Cannon continue to encounter many more people with Miss K energy on his journey.
Katie, my friend Sandy tagged this post on Substack today and encouraged us to grab tissues first. She was correct. Thank you for sharing this vulnerable and beautiful story.
Before I retired from teaching in 2016, I spent the last 5 years of my teaching career in a K-2nd classroom for kids with autism; your son's behaviours and the saint of a principal who cares for him ring true with my experience.
Our district near Seattle was one of the first to have a program for Kindergartners with autism and we had 4 of the most challenging children I've ever encountered. Non-verbal, violent and behaviour issues were a daily occurrence; I spent the first 6 months crying most every day after work.
Miraculously year by year, with our repeated training and patience and repetition, many of them changed and grew because of a lot of love and care.
A few weeks ago one of the paraeducators I shared my job with sent me a photo of her one-on-one student A. now the shopping cart guy at one of our local grocery outlets. It took sixteen long, persistent years, but miracles happen--may God continue to move so in your son's life.
This .. I want to be like Miss K in my day to day parenting. X
Me, too, Vanessa. :)
Crying over here… so so beautiful
“Miss K energy” Crying over here 🥹
We have a student with autism in our school this year and this was such a refreshing perspective. Thank God for the Miss K’s … I hope we can be like her!
Oh, Katie. I wish I could give you a big hug and love on your children. Miss K sounds like she is an answer to many prayers. And speaking of prayers, you and your children are in mine. I’ve read your journey and smile and weep. Stay strong, you are doing mighty work.
Miss K sounds incredible! Love for Cannon Lee. The visual of him in the crib and curls, my heart.