Day 1

Special Education

Every year, the day before spring break, Summerfield grade school held its annual open house. None of the faculty could really decide if that decision was originally for the adults or the kids. While the adults got to see their students work through the use of posters and movies set up around the school in the classrooms, the students had basically a free day before their week of free time between terms. The only reason it even really worked was because the parents were there, none of the teachers could have kept the children under control for two seconds with a setup like this. Heck, it was even hard the parents to control their own children at times.

Because the day was consistently the day before spring break every year it had become somewhat of a homecoming for the school’s graduates. Nothing formal, no parades or football games like a high school or college would have, but it seemed as though it was tradition just the same.

I say seemed as though for a reason, you see I’m what amounts to the newcomer of the school. Though the first time I stepped into it was over five years ago I only started working full time the year before. And, while I knew the tradition, it never actually came knocking at my classroom door. The Special Education department was, sadly, the department most likely to be forgotten by its alums. It mad sense really, the number of students that passed through every year was significantly smaller than the rest of the school and many of the students that spent most of their time in my room needed a strict patterned life. There would have been no place for a detour to my classroom, especially since I wasn’t actually their teacher at the time. So when the last of my students leave with their parents to go and talk with their regular teachers I usually wait at my desk, planning things or doing last minute grading, and stay there until either I’m called to an after school meeting or I can go home. It’s not the most interesting day for me, but like I said, it’s important for the kids and their parents.

“Excuse me.” Immediately my desk was accosted by knocking that was strong enough to move the entire counter. “Excuse me!” I gently placed my hand on the other person’s and held it there before looking up. “Excuse me, I was told this was the Special Education classroom.”

As I looked up I could tell that he had been a student with one of my predecessors. His arms were shorter than average and along with flattened facial features it was fairly obvious that he had some sort of Downs Syndrome. Thankfully he didn’t take my touching him offensively. Even in my two years at the school I had children pass through from the overly calm to uncontrollable aggressively. The former usually did fine, following whatever tasks I requested. If the later even stayed at the school they had a one on one with them at all times. “Yes, this is the Special Education classroom. Is there something I can help you with?”

A wide grin spread across his face and his eyes squinted in pleasure at finding the room right room. “I am looking for Mrs. Snowburn. She was my teacher while I was here. I would like to thank her for helping me.” He’d clearly planned for this day, getting everything ready to show up to his old grade school and meet with his old professor. It seemed as though he’d even spent time practicing what he would say in the event she was not readily available.

Of course, Mrs. Snowburn wasn’t around anymore. A few years ago the area was blanketed by the worst blizzard anyone alive had ever seen. In its wake hundreds of people died from hypothermia, frostbite, pneumonia, and countless other cold related diseases. I knew this former student knew of the blizzard, judging by how old he looked he had probably already graduated from the local high school by that time. “What’s your name?” I asked as kindly as possible. There was no telling how he’d react to the news; mostly I would be telling him that all his preparations were for naught. But he had to be told. He told me his name, Matt, and I suggested we sit down at one of the many chairs that were scattered around the room. Most were sized for the children but a few were for teachers and associates to sit in while they helped around the classroom. “Matt, it’s really nice to meet you. I’m Justin Farnam and I’m the head of the Special Education department. I replaced Mrs. Snowburn when she left a few years ago.” Using generic terms like ‘left’ seemed an appropriate place to start. Matt nodded. “She doesn’t work here anymore. If you want I can contact her family and let them know you stopped by, but I can’t help you beyond that.”

“And then I can talk with her? I have a lot to discuss. You see, I’m working in the city.” It seemed like his entire face smiled when he said it. Clearly it had been a lifelong dream to go to work in the city, something he probably shared with Mrs. Snowburn years ago.

I knew I had to tell him, but I never wanted to. After she passed away I was asked to fill in for the rest of the year, I agreed since I was between jobs and it gave me an excuse to use my teaching certification. Unfortunately it meant weeks and months explaining to parents and children ‘where Mrs. Snowburn was and when she was going to come back.’ The adults usually sent their condolences through the office after I told them but I had to explain a little more of what happened to the kids. I was hoping that Matt would understand like an adult, it would make it easier on both of us. “Matt, do you remember the blizzard a few years back? The one that seemed to affect everything, power, homes, work, school?” He nodded slowly. “Well, Mrs. Snowburn got stuck here at the school looking after some of the kids who hadn’t been picked up yet. You see, the school isn’t built for that kind of thing. It’s got a heater, but there was no power, and the insulation isn’t nearly good enough to keep people warm under those circumstances.” Heck, hardly any building had the insulation for that blizzard. Most places survived simply through huddles of people trying to keep each other warm along with as many blankets and items of clothing they could find. The school didn’t have those luxuries; there were only nine of us in the building at any given time. “Mrs. Snowburn got a bad case of pneumonia and passed away in the hospital about a week after. She fought really hard, but it was just too much.” Matt nodded letting his mouth hang slightly open as he listened to my explanation. “So when I said she left, I wasn’t really telling everything I guess. But in short, like I said, I can contact the family for you if you would like and let them know you stopped by. If you’re willing I can even give them your contact information and they could all you to talk with you about your experiences with Mrs. Snowburn. Outside of that I can see if your main room teacher is still working here and I can tell you where his or her office is.” Matt sat there and looked at me for sometime, either thinking or waiting I couldn’t really tell.

“I have already been to see Mr. Fits. He was glad to see me and we talked a bit already.” With that he stood up. “Thank for your time. The next bus will be stopping at the bus stop soon so I must go.” I stood up too and held out my hand to shake goodbye, but Matt looked at it warily before bowing and leaving the classroom. Despite Matt’s sudden departure, which I couldn’t really do anything about, I called Mrs. Snowburn’s oldest son anyway to tell him that a student of hers had been by. There was nothing else to do between now and the time the bell rang at the end of the day anyway and I knew he’d like to hear the news just as much as Mrs. Snowburn would have.

It’s true that part of my disinterest in the day was that I had no alums to look forward to. The only graduating class to have gone through the school had me for a year before moving on to junior high. They were neither old enough to really care to come back nor knew me well enough to have that many fond memories. And yet, sadly, in the short time that I had known Mrs. Snowburn she had mentioned that she too didn’t look forward to this event each. Though many graduating years were old enough to have come back none had. As far as I knew Matt was the first one, five years after she passed away.

It took Samuel all of three rings to pick up. “Hello?” He’d been sleeping apparently. “Who is it?”

I thought I’d have a bit of fun with him. “It’s your wake up call. You’re two hours late for your appointment and your meeting got pushed up a half hour.” Through my visit to the hospital to check on Mrs. Snowburn’s slow decline in health I’d begun to meet her family. Though they never outwardly showed it I think they were taken with my desire to make sure she was all right, even after the doctors informed us that there was no hope. It didn’t happen over night or anything, but slowly and without anyone really realizing it I became a part of the family. A family friend I guess, not the type of person invited to family reunions but Christmas parties instead. “Wake up sleepy head, it’s almost…what? Two in the afternoon?”