Joseph has recently become friends with the new English teacher at Lanier, Sarah, who is from Iowa. Last Sunday we went to a bbq at her house in Cedar Park. Sarah and her partner are best friends with their next door neighbors, Joe and Amanda. Because of their friendship, they built a gate that connects their backyards. We ended up eating ribs and potato salad with the four of them.
During the bbq I learned that Amanda was a SCORES teacher at Mills Elementary in Austin ISD. SCORES is an inclusion support position for children on the spectrum. She does essentially what I have been doing in Leander ISD.
Tuesday comes around and I see Amanda sitting in the front office of my school in a nice outfit holding a notepad and folder. Both of us were quite surprised. I asked her what she was doing at Block House Creek. She exclaimed, "I'm interviewing for the autism inclusion position!" In excitement I informed her, "That's my position!" Both in shock, we went on about our business.
We talked after school. She expressed a deep interest in the position and working with kids on the spectrum. She has a heart and mind for behavior. I can tell she is truly passionate about her job and her students. I would sleep so much better at night knowing that Amanda has inherited my students. I feel confident she would take good care of them and oscillate ever-so-thoughtfully between the delicate balance of supporting and pushing the students to move forward during their elementary years.
Fate or coincidence? Let's go with fate. I hope she gets my old position and gets to work with my former students. I will miss them dearly.
