A Parent Letter to Special Education Teachers

I had a parent write a letter to their special education teachers to share what it is really like and how we can work together as a team. Here are a few things to think about:

“To My Child’s Teacher,

I have been my child’s protector his whole life. As his mom I knew there was more going on that just a delay with his development. I sat in doctors offices and with specialists who brushed me off and made me feel like I was a crazy overreacting mommy. I’ve sat in meetings where I was asked not to bring my son back because they couldn’t meet his needs (they were all polite but still…gut punch). The thing was I felt like I also wasn’t meeting his needs and I had no direction. I didn’t sleep much…thank you doctor google…

It is very hard for me to trust others with my child because of past experience. Please be patient with me, I’ll come around. My hope is to work with you to create the best opportunity for my child to succeed. At the beginning of each school year I wonder about the worst and most of the time by the end of the school year I’m tearing up at the thought of not working with you as closely anymore.

I’m sad to hear how difficult teaching has become these past two years with all the pandemic changes and uncertainty. I wish I knew what I could do to support you better. I may not say it enough but I appreciate everything you do for my child (and lets be honest…to support me).

I am my sons biggest advocate, I can also be your’s too…

Thank you,

One Special Needs Mom

I hope this parent letter gives you some perspective about what happens outside of the school walls.

Here is another parent letter to continue this thought process.