In the past I worked as a para educator in a special needs school. I really enjoyed my time there, and this is a re-vamped blog post from an old blog I used to have. It's about my experience as a para with music.
I had quite an amazing moment with an old student of mine, he was one of the very first people I worked with during my time as a para educator. The first time that we met I was unfamiliar with the classroom structure and students but I will never forget the first day walking into that classroom and feeling such a love for all the kids.
I sat down and met each student as they wandered around the classroom following their regular routine and the main classroom teacher had me work with one particular student and he loved music, he was fascinated with the piano, absolutely drawn to the rhythm that came from a drum and he LOVED a good song! I sang to this student every day, he grew to know and love my voice, he clung to me as if I were his mother and we were familiar and aware of one another through music.
Unfortunately the special needs community has a history of abuse and a large lack of care! Many students dealt with very unfortunate circumstances and when they came to school the teachers are their only true support system. This isn't the case for all and unfortunately my student had a heartbreaking past that he was healing from. I began to feel the love of Christ for this student and it was clear that he responded to me better than most, so it was a classroom decision that I would be his main para, and that is how it stayed for a very long time until the principle changed the classroom structure.
I was with another class and my student ran out of their room all the way to the class I was subbing in which was taking their turn in PE! He grabbed my hand and I knew clear as day in that moment that he was wanting a song. Singing different tunes the student pulled me along and it broke my heart that I had to direct him back to his classroom as I was subbing in a different room that day. My heart RIPPED from my soul, I felt he NEEDED me that day and he did. Come to find out he was furious throughout the day and his sorrow turned to madness and he took a lot of his anger out on himself. He had a habit of throwing his head against the wall and ripping his ear - horrible unfortunate things! As I was subbing in the other classroom I could hear him throughout the day and realized that the other para's were not able to calm him down. Eventually I was pulled from the classroom and asked to come assist with him. His routine had been interrupted by another student and I could tell how frustrated he was and how confused he was.
I entered the classroom and began singing softly, immediately he turned to me and walked towards me, he began patting his chest to pound out the rhythm while tears streamed down his face and as he began to match his breath to the rhythm of the song he got calm. He placed his hand in mind and we walked around for a little bit singing and clapping out the beats ensuring he was calm enough to be around other students I let the song fade and began speaking to him transferring him back to the other para he had for the day.
This moment was magical to me, it made me see the power of music and the power of my voice. It allowed me to recognize that music is truly therapy, it can reset the brain and calm the soul. My student got it together because the language he speaks is the language of music. He needed a song that told him he would be okay and a rhythm that would help him feel that way!
The Language of Music
At the end of the day the matter what language you speak, we all understand one thing and that is music. Music is a language that speaks to our souls, it drives deep within our hearts and flows throughout our blood to keep us alive, to keep us going. It tells us the stories we need to hear and the melodies share the pains that we feel at times.
It understands us and we understand it.
Music is a pathway to ultimate surrender of a moment in despair. It is a joyful burst of light when we least expect it. Music is the absolute in all of us! I desire to be a musical therapist at some point later in my life, the change music has made in my life and the life of others can not be ignored!
How has music changed you? How has it impacted you? What are you going to do today to share the wonders that is music!? For more information on music and the joy it can bring or to get signed up and singing click the link here www.singingsoulful.com/booking
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