Very interesting perspective, or as it was stated, a guiding principle, on the teacher from Nicholas Hobbs (1966)

"But most of all a teacher-counselor is a decent adult; educated, well trained, able to give and receive affection, to live relaxed, and to be firm; a person with private resources for the nourishment and refreshment of his own life; not an itinerate worker but a professional through and through; a person with a sense of the significance of time, of the usefulness of today, and the promise of tomorrow; a person of hope, quiet confidence, and joy; one who has committed himself to children and to the proposition that children who are emotionally disturbed can be helped by the process of re-education."

Of course this is written in the language of the 60's so not as PC as many would want, or expect, it to be, but it spoke to me.  While working with EI kids can be seen as a calling, it also demands a person who can look past themselves and find a way to help and teach.  

This job found me and it can be tough, demanding and mind-numbing at times.  But it is amazingly refreshing when you see even the slightest change in behavior or the slightest glimpse of what they are capable of or even when one of them hugs you because for him, it was a good day and he had to express that in some way.  Seeing the smile of a child who feels as no as if one ever understands but knows you do, is what makes it worth it...we don't give them "rope" to "hang" themselves, we must give them "rope" to discover who they are and what they are capable of achieving.  Only then will they be able to intrinsically motivate themselves and truly be successful.

Ok, back to reading....break over.