The importance of excellent special education support staff and remembering Anna Pitts
In terms of public school, the most important person in the day-to-day life of Quincy and students like Quincy with intensive special needs is their aide. The aides are the people that do the daily care-giving and who develop very complex relationships with our children. Quincy has had aides in the past that have become some of my closest and most trusted friends. They are the voices of our children when we are away, the learn to communicate, feed, change and care for our children as well as we do. The importance of a good special ed aide cannot be measured.
The flip side of that, of course, is how damaging a poor aide can be. I have been lucky enough to avoid such a situation, but have heard terrible stories from other parents about how awful a poorly trained aide can be. Having a person in such a position who is not prepared or does not have the heart for the job can set our children back years. I cross my fingers (and do a ton of advocating) at the start of every school year to make sure Quincy doesn’t get put in a situation like that.
This week our school district lost an exceptional special ed aide unexpectedly and very tragically. I did not know Anna Pitts personally, but I have seen her working with students like Quincy, I have spoken to parents who were lucky enough to have her work with their children, and I have talked with teachers for whom Anna worked and everyone raved about her. She was a genuinely caring woman who loved her job and the students she worked with. The impact of her loss throughout the school district has been overwhelming. She will never be replaced. She touched so many lives and brought much joy to her work.
My heart goes out to Anna’s family and my dear friend Amber who is Anna’s daughter and an extraordinary advocate for children with disabilities in her own right. There are no words to express how deeply felt your loss is to all of us.
2 Comments to The importance of excellent special education support staff and remembering Anna Pitts
Your website is wonderful! I am always looking for informative and uplifting websites from mothers that have the amazing opportunity to raise special and blessed children. I have that same opportunity with my two young boys, both of which have autsim. My struggles with trying to determine if the H1N1 vaccine would be a good thing for them led me to your website. I appreciate the information and opinion you have provided. In reading through your older posts, I came across one that you shared your thoughts about the milestones in your daughters life. I can relate. My boys are 2 and 4 and it’s the simplest of accomplishments that bring the greatest joys. I really look forward to reading more of your posts. By the way, I think you were a teacher of mine back when I was a retarded and awkward teenager in Wrangell. I’m not sure, but if you are hello and thanks.
TawnyDecember 16, 2009
Kimberly,
I am so pleased you have found rubysoup to be useful! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. Please visit again after the new year when I start writing new posts.
BTW…I know I had more than one Kimberly when I taught…am curious to know which one you are? If you don’t want to respond here you are welcome to email me at tawnyb@gci.net. 
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National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC)
November 29, 2009