| Damian is a child who comes to our classroom every day for an hour of socialization. Although his speech is limited, he finds unique ways of communicating.
Damian was working on the floor in the reading center one day when he discovered a "rainbow" on the rug beside him. He became very excited to see it there and proceeded to investigate. He covered it with his hands, only to discover that the "rainbow" was now on the back of his hand. Scratching, or tapping the floor did not disturb it. If he got up and walked around it, it would disappear when he stood between the "rainbow" and the window.
I was sitting a short distance from Damian, watching him investigate his finding. He did not look to me for answers, but instead pulled another student to the area. The child began to explain that the "rainbow" was caused by the sunlight coming through the prisms that were hanging in the window. If you blocked the sun's rays, the "rainbow" would disappear. If you moved the prism, the "rainbow" would also move. If you placed something over the "rainbow", this would now be on the object.
Damian remained enchanted with the "rainbow" the total time of his stay in our classroom that day. Soon it was time for him to return with his homeroom teacher.
When she arrived to pick him up, Damian did not want to leave his "rainbow". He brought his teacher to the floor and with isolated words, tugs and gestures, he explained what he had discovered. She watched and allowed him to place her hand on the "rainbow" too. Still, it was time to leave. Other children were waiting for her.
Damian clearly did not want to leave, and gave a sad look of pleading. His teacher simply stated, "I guess you will just have to bring it with you".
Damian's face lit up. His eyes sparkled. He ran back to the spot where the "rainbow" was still on the floor and very gently scooped it up. With cupped hands and a triumphant radiance on his face, he said goodbye to me and left. His teacher later informed me that he went straight to his backpack and carefully put his treasured "rainbow" away. Then he went on about his classroom chores.
Damian reminded me of valuable lessons that day. First, rainbows are special. They can be made simply by letting the sun shine through a prism and watching the beautiful colors radiate. Second, when you must leave to attend to responsibilities, "rainbows" can be carefully scooped up and put in a special place, to be enjoyed later.
My students have been my prisms through the years. They radiate beautifully when I allow the warm sunlight of knowledge to pass through them. They have given me many precious "rainbow" memories that I have scooped up gently and tucked away in my heart, so I can enjoy them over and over again.
Thank you Damian. Today you were the teacher!
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Damian es un niño que viene a nuestro salón todos los días para pasar una hora de socialización. Aunque su habla es limitado, siempre encuentra maneras muy especiales para comunicarse con los demás.
Damian estaba trabajando en el piso en el centro de lectura cuando descubró un "arcoiris" en el tapete. Se emocionó mucho al verlo, y quiso investigarlo. Lo cubrió con sus manos, solo para descubrir que el "arcoiris" ahora se encontraba en la parte de atrás de su mano. Si rascaba o pegaba el piso, nada le pasaba al "arcoiris". Se mantenia fijo. Si el se levantaba y caminaba al su alrededor, el "arcoiris" desaparecía cuando el se ponia entre éste y la ventana.
Yo me encontraba sentada cerca de Damian, y observaba como investigaba la situación. No me buscó para darle respuestas. En su lugar, buscó a otro niño y lo trajó para que viera. El niño comenzó a explicarle que el "arcoiris" venia de los rayos del sol que pasaban por los prismas que colgaban en la ventana. Si se bloqueaban los rayos del sol, el "arcoiris" desaparecia. Si movias el prisma, el "arcoiris" también se movia. Si colocabas algo encima del "arcoiris" éste se projectaba sobre el objeto.
Damian quedó encantado con el "arcoiris" durante su hora de estancia en el salón. Pronto se llegó la hora de regresar a su salón con su maestra titular.
Cúando ella llegó a la puerta, Damian no quería dejar su "arcoiris". Trajo a la maestra al lugar y le explicó todo con palabras cortas, estirones y gestos. Ella lo observó y permitió que le pusiera la mano en el "arcoiris" también. Aún así, era hora de irse. Ella tenía a otros niños esperando.
Damian no quería irse, y lo mostraba con una cara de tristesa. La maestra simplemente le dijo, "Supongo que tendrás que traerlo contigo."
Con esto, la cara de Damian se iluminó. Sus ojos brillaban. Corrió al lugar donde aún se encontraba el arcoiris en el piso y con mucho cuidado lo recojió. Con su "arcoiris" a salvo entre sus manitas ahuecadas y con una mirada radiante y truinfante, Damian me dijo adios y regresó a su salón. La maestra luego me informó que Damian fué directo a su mochila y cuidadosamente guardo su "arcoiris". Después sigió son sus asuntos en el salón.
Damian me recordó unas valiosas lecciones ese día. Primero, los arcoiris son especiales. Se hacen simplemente dejando pasar los rayos del sol através de un prisma y observando los colores que radian. Segundo, cuando te tienes que ir para attender a responsabilidades, se puede guardar el "arcoiris" en un lugar especial para disfrutarlo después.
Mis estudiantes hán sido mis prismas através de los años. Radian colores hermosos cuando permito que pasen los rayos de sabiduria por ellos. Me han dado muchos recuerdos que he guardado con cuidado en mi corazón para después disfrutarlos una y otra vez.
Gracias Damian. ¡Hoy tu fuiste el maestro!
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