Last summer, I began one of the most challenging jobs I’ve ever had. After years of working in business as a HR manager, then a few years spent focusing on my family, I felt it was time to get back out into the workplace. My son needed me less and I wanted a job that still allowed me to be available when my son was not in school.
One day, I was dropping off my son at school and I saw a sign outside saying they needed substitute teachers. I applied, got some training, and began working almost right away.
The district was so happy with my work, that when a paraprofessional position opened up in one of the special education classrooms, they encouraged me to apply. The position was in the “EI” room. For those of you who don’t know, “EI” stands for “Emotionally Impaired.”
I wasn’t sure it would be a good fit for me. These children had some serious behavioral issues and lots of emotional dysregulation. I had subbed once in the room before and that half day had felt 10 hours long.
So I declined. But I was contacted two more times by the special education teacher to please consider. I went in to the interview and immediately liked the new EI room teacher and thought, “Maybe I can help.”
When I was offered the job, I accepted. I couldn’t have been prepared for the days that followed.
I saw students flipping over heavy tables when angry. I was stabbed with pencils. I was kicked, punched, spit on, and every day I had to separate upset kids so they wouldn’t hurt each other or us.
During all that time, I also saw kids who really just needed love and routine. They needed a safe place where things were “boring” (aka “normal"). I saw the same children who had tried to break a window show incredible kindness to others. As I got to know them, I learned about the things and people they loved, and all the hurt they had suffered through. It changed my life.
Even though I opted to return to subbing versus working full-time, I’ve continued to regularly work in this classroom. These kids run to hug me when they see me with an enthusiastic, “Mrs. Newmyer!”.
They try so hard to be on their best behavior even when they are dealing with trauma. They make little cards for me or use their precious reward points to buy me a sticker from the classroom treasure chest.
While none of the kids in our class are currently in foster care, some of them have been. Others have lived with other trauma no child should ever have to endure.
I’ve seen first-hand how much these kids value having something that is their “own.” I’ve seen how much they want to feel love and warmth. I’ve seen kids who are labeled as “defiant” become productive when they have some measure of stability.
Working in an EI room isn’t for everyone. But if you are reading this post, it is probably because you are a quilter, too. And we can make a quilt for them.
We can meditate and soak every stitch with the love we give to our own families. We can pray over this quilt to protect these children so they find a home that is filled with peace and joy and lots of quilts--a home like the one we want for our own children. We can pray that they feel God’s love and our hug when they use their quilt.
With one small gesture, we can make a world of difference.
I hope you will join me and donate a quilt. A baby or a small throw size is best so they can fit it in their backpacks and carry the “hug they can keep.”
Click on this link to get all the info on this program and how to donate.
https://www.stacey-lee.com/2024/07/10/quilt-donation-drive-2025/
And if you are looking for a quick, throw sized pattern, check out my Cottage Square quilt! It comes together in a jiffy and is scrap friendly. Save 15% off the pattern with code MOREHUGS through May 31, 2025. You can shop here.
Special thanks to Stacey Lee @staceyleecreative for all her hard work on organizing this special drive.