When people ask me what I do, I say, "I work with children who teach me more than any textbook ever could."

I am a special needs educator — but that’s only part of the story. I am also a mother, a wife, a daughter, and a woman still growing through the very lessons I teach.

My journey into special education wasn’t just a career choice — it was a calling that began when I was still a teenager doing relief teaching. Over the years, I’ve supported children with autism, ADHD, GDD, and intellectual disabilities. I’ve worked in inclusive classrooms overseas and back home, trying to make sure no child is left behind, especially those who see and feel the world differently.

What most people don’t see is how deeply this work intertwines with my personal life. I carry every lesson home — and not just in files and flashcards. My own children have grown up watching me create visual routines, tailor learning tools, and celebrate every little milestone with joy that might seem out of proportion to others. But to us, every step is a mountain climbed.

Some days, I bring the emotional weight home. When a child struggles to regulate or when a parent’s voice breaks during a meeting — those moments stay with me. But strangely, they also help me pause as a mother. I’ve learned to listen better. I’ve learned that “misbehavior” is often miscommunication. And I’ve learned that my children, like all children, need compassion more than correction.

Balancing work, home, and passion isn’t always easy. There are late nights, early mornings, and the quiet tug-of-war between wanting to give more to others and needing to keep something for myself. But I’ve found peace in knowing that the impact of what I do stretches beyond the classroom. My children see it. They feel it. And they too are growing into empathetic, resilient individuals.

Being a special needs educator has made me a better mother.

Being a mother has made me a more human educator.

It’s not perfect — but it’s meaningful. And in both roles, I’ve come to believe that when we lead with understanding, we open doors to possibilities we never imagined.

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