When Kennady reached ‘school age’, we were hesitant to release her to other people all day long. In fact, in Texas, school age for kids with disabilities is 3 years old. As a parent, it is so difficult to see your three year old load the bus and head off to school for the day. We made the decision that it was good for her to get the attention of loving teachers. The teachers in Lockhart were so special. We will never forget the heart and soul of Mrs. Lucas, Mrs. Williams, Ms. Green, and others that loved and cared for Kennady.

In 2009, we faced the same dilemma. We were moving to Hays school district. There were so many unknowns. Who would her teacher be? What would they be doing at school all day? Would they be sensitive to her needs? Would they push her to grow and develop to her full potential?

Our fears were put to rest when we entered the room. Wow. An enormous room with tons of adaptive equipment, soft lighting, and a warm smile by the one and only Mrs. Cato.

As days turned into months and months into years, we took for granted this whole school system. We would send Kennady off to school and greet her at the door when the bus returned. We would read reports from the teachers. A few times a year, we go to the classroom and have a social meeting with the teachers and other parents.

This is so brutal to admit, but we would see school as glorified babysitting. After not seeing notable progress with Kennady, we resorted to a ‘maintain’ philosophy. There was a point after our prayers for progress were seemingly unanswered that we needed to accept her the way she was and move on. We needed to love her for who she was and not care if she changed at all. While in that place, it is so difficult to keep pushing for progress.

That is where the rest of the team (family) kicks into gear. Each day Kennady went to school she was not being babysat. In fact, she was on a regimen to push her as far as she could go developmentally.

The ARD meeting every year reminds us of how valuable this whole community of love is. It refreshes our heart for Kennady’s progess. ARD stands for “Admission, Review, Dismissal”. Basically, any kid in the special education part of the district goes through ARD meetings to determine if they qualify for the program, review how the plan is working, and then dismiss when the services are no longer needed.

For the last few years, I (Robin) have not made the ARD meeting. I have had other meetings/plans creep up. Honestly, I have not made it a priority. That has all changed.

This year, Erica asked me if I was going. I looked at my calendar and nothing was on there so I made plans to go.

It was a cold Thursday morning. We were running a bit late. We rushed into the main office, we were cleared by ‘security’. Warning! Do not ever mess with a school secretary about…anything! They are worse than church secretaries! Give them your ID and wait for clearance. Once we got the ok, we headed back through the hallway. We opened the door to a very small conference room. We were the last ones to arrive. Gathered around the table were 6 women and 1 man eagerly waiting for us to arrive. I was emotional from the time I saw all their faces looking at us.

Wow. All these people are a part of Kennady’s life. The leader of the meeting began the official proceedings. Review of the schedule, how Kennady has done with last year’s goals, what the goals are for the next year, and what the plans are for junior high next year.

As time passed and each teacher shared their desires for Kennady, Erica and I fought back tears. These folks really are investing in Kennady and have high hopes for her making strong progress. They want her to use adaptive equipment to change her own TV channels. The have a goal of her using equipment to say her name and to say ‘hello’ to you as you walk into the room. They are working on getting her a customized chair that is fits her exact body shape. They integrate her into a regular science class, and in PE, Kennady is on the team with other boys and girls.

That inspired a question from me to the science and PE teacher. “How do the other kids interact with Kennady?” “Oh, they love her. They defend her. They accept her, say hi in the hallways, and want to be her partner. They actually get mad at her in PE when she is not pulling her weight. They treat her as a peer.” Mrs Cato (her main teacher) said, “I just had a 5th grade girl ask me to write her a recommendation letter to the junior high principal so that she could be Kennady’s PAL (assistant) next year.” Ok, if you didn’t just tear up, you are cold blooded.

It truly takes a community to raise a child, especially one that has so many special needs. I don’t believe you can ever overrate community. God created the world with the innate need to come together. As Americans, we value individuality and the whole ‘self-made man’ idea. Why? Each of us have different abilities that are designed to intricately connect and bring life one another.

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16

We need others to pick us up when we are weak. We all get weak at some point.

I hope these teachers and school administrators see their work as a piece in a much bigger puzzle. It’s more than education. It is more than babysitting kids that often don’t want to be in school. Community is a puzzle of life that needs people of all shapes, sizes, skills, heart, time, effort, passion. Yes, they are teaching children, but they are also lifting a huge burden from the parents. They are carrying a torch that will change the next generation. We appreciate you, teachers!

The next you hear someone trashing the public school system, please say, “Uh, I’ve heard about some amazing people in the Hays CISD.” (and Lockhart)