When I entered the first grade, I began the process of learning to read and write.  Everyone was placed into a group based on a quick assessment.  The high achievers were placed into the group known as the "bluebirds."  The average group was the "redbirds" and the slow group the "canaries."  If anyone was too slow for the canaries, then they were quickly assessed and placed into another program. 

I remember watching the children in this other program and all of them were poorly dressed. A truant officer was always after them to insure each one was given an education.  Since we lived in a rural area, there were plenty of places to hide.  As an active explorer, I knew where some of these places were.  Places where children had pimps providing an unheard of service for the more affluent.  Of course, I had to stay on top of everything as a silent observer.  I never let anyone know about my discoveries, because I knew it would only cause trouble.  I was known as the "shy kid."  My only interests were rock collecting, reading and going exploring with my younger brother, Warren.

Starting in the first grade, I knew I wanted to be a teacher.  I wanted to help others.  I really felt sorry for those children more unfortunate than myself.  I just did not know my biggest accomplishment would come from raising three children, each having a different disability.  As previously stated, Lisa had auditory processing disorder, Andrew had autism, while my youngest, Lisa, lived with glaucoma.

Another post on Saturday...