Just Tammy And Me

Tammy and I have worked together in the special ed program for the past 8 years. We have moved our classroom back and forth between room 403 and room 404 time and time again. 403 is a shoebox size room and 404 is one of the biggest rooms in our school. So depending if 404 is needed for a regular classroom or not, we move.

When we are in the tiny room we get rid of massive amounts of stuff and make it work. Next thing we know, they put us back into 404 with all its wonderful space. We are forced to go out and gather up stuff to fill the space. In 404 we acquired 2 cozy couches and a well worn recliner to make for comfortable learning. The living/ learning center is a comfortable place to work for students and teachers. On more than 1 occasion, we have come in during our prep period to find Mrs. Carter laying in our dark room, nursing a headache.

In 403 there is hardly room for our desks, certainly no room for a living/learning center. Unbelievably, we have even shared 403 with the occupational therapist and the reading specialist at one time or another. Although, it is not as comfortable in 403, no one could say it isn't cozy. To add to the warm atmosphere our students painted a fireplace on the wall, in the corner. Ah ambiance!

Being able to adjust and being flexible have gotten Tammy and I through our years together at this amazing elementary school. Surviving classroom moves was the easiest part of the last 8 years. Tammy and I have been there for each other to lend an ear as we each raised our kids from puberty into adulthood. I can't imagine how I would have survived without her friendship and support in my life. We have the most loved children even if they have not always made the best choices. People learn from their mistakes became our creed.

Each of our sons survived horrible falls. My son fell 80 feet off a cliff years before Tammy and I began working together. While we were working together her son fell about 50 feet from a bridge. This was not the bond we wanted to share. But this was a bond we shared. Although both our sons survived and each fell years ago, if you ask either of us we can tell you the exact date our hearts stopped and we feared we might lose our precious sons.

Tammy had to be at her sons bedside for over a month. He ruptured his aorta and still miraculously survived. All I could do for Tammy during those agonizingly, long weeks was pray. While she was gone there was a substitute in our classroom. But no one could take Tammy's place with me or the kids. Incredibly, both our sons are now healthy, happy 23 year olds. Her son, Taylor has much more interesting scars from his fall than my son Tanner. Tammy and I are both grateful that we still have our sons to drive us crazy through their teenage years and beyond. Somehow, it helps that there is another mom, who is also my close friend, who understands the worry and fear I went through when Tanner fell.

Tammy is more than my close friend. She is there to walk beside me with kids. The stories we share about our adorable, quirky students are hilarious. It is great having someone else share my experiences at work and in life. Although we rarely 'hang out' off campus, I know that if I ever need anyone to laugh or cry with she is just a phone call away. Those who say there is no prayer in school don't know Tammy and I. Between the hard families of our students and our own families we spend a lot of time praying for each other.

Whether we are laughing at a kiddo in class writing that water's 3 states of matter are Arizona, California, and Minnesota or weeping for a young girl who goes home day after day to alcoholic parents or running to bring a kiddo back to class who has bolted off campus, Tammy and I are in this together. There have been times when we are brought to tears by a student' heartfelt handwritten card or by a kindergartner telling us that, "Only my face is crying."

There have been 5 principals at our school and each of them recognizes the strength of Tammy and I working together as a team. Being together in room 403 or 404, with or without a living/learning center, we are better at reaching and teaching kids as a team. It doesn't bother me which room we teach in, as long as we get to be in it together. Working with 1 of my best friends makes work 1 of the best parts of my life.

In Him,
Joyful
3-24-2010

I know my laundry, clean or dirty, is safe with Miss Tammy.