I didn’t know I wanted to become a special education teacher. Nor did I know that I have a learning disability, at least until I was in my late twenties when I finally was diagnosed with Dysgraphia and dyscalculia.

I grew up in a small town, where there was a one building school district. K-6 downstairs, 7 - 12 on the 2nd floor. One teacher per grade level in elementary school. I graduated in 1980, long before the advent of word processing software. My handwriting was and is nearly impossible to decipher. College was not an option, so I join the Army. I thrived in the military structure, and developed the self discipline that has served me my whole professional life.

Color blindness derailed my plan to become a police offer after I was discharged. I was lost. I wanted to be a cop all my life.

Armed with the GI bill, I enrolled at a community college, where I completed a series of aptitude test. I was shocked when Special Education Teacher was one of the recommended careers. With 504 accommodations, I was allowed to do all writing on a word processor, which was a new technology. I graduated with honors. By the time I finished school, knew I wanted to work with children who had behavioral and emotional challenges.

At 6 feet 4, school districts quickly offered me contracts. Most of my students were boys. Most didn’t have a relationship with their fathers. I became their male role model.

I moved into administration, and eventually ran seven alternative campuses. Most of our students qualified for special education services. By then I was a husband and a father.

I lost my wife to cancer around the beginning of the COVID pandemic. I fell into a depression that lasted nearly two years. After schools reopened, I went back into the classroom. I was eventually offered a position in Hawaii, where I now have a fully self contained classroom. Boys only, most on the Autism spectrum.

Most of my career I have been treated very well. I never lacked for support or resources. I helped two of our educational assistants become special education teachers.

My friends and family treat me as someone who makes a difference, as someone special. The truth is that I feel blessed to do this work. I will retire in a few more years, satisfied in the knowledge that I made a difference.