Week 5 - Little by Little

"People seldom see the halting and painful steps by which the most insignificant success is achieved." - Annie Sullivan

Cheri watched closely as the aide fed Michelle. It was always the same - first the positioning of Michelle in the chair and strapping her in, then the bib, then the introduction to the food placed in front of her. Janice, the aide, reminded Michelle at each mealtime what time of day it was, what she was eating, and what she would do with the fork or spoon. It was a painstakingly slow process, yet Janice was always full of encouragement and patience, something Cheri had been lacking lately.

Her intermediate varying exceptionality class may have been small in comparison to a regular fourth-grade classroom, but the demands were infinitely greater. Cheri had taught it for ten years, and she could feel burnout right around the corner. Many of her colleagues had already left this kind of classroom and were always amazed to hear that Cheri was still at it. They weren't the only ones who wondered why.

"I see so little progress," she said to her husband. "I think this will be my last year teaching this class."

Her principal was not happy with Cheri's news that she wanted to transfer. He knew how difficult it was to integrate a new teacher into this kind of situation.

On her last day, Cheri fed Michelle herself. As she lifted the spoon to her lips, she saw it! A smile! "Did you see that?" she asked.

"Yes," said Janice. "And it was all for you."

Cheri rescinded her resignation.

Sometimes just the simplest of steps forward are enough to encourage us to continue.

Prompt: Have I dismissed small gifts of encouragement lately? Small things that have brought me encouragement lately are . . .