Sally Green
Spirit of Support Award 2008
Submitted by Belinda Russo
Our Son, Aaron (age 16) attends a K-12 local community school. Over
the years we (as most families with an AS child will identify) have
experienced our fair share of highs and lows.
His primary years were fairly uneventful, we had the usual 'school
report issues', social issues and bullying incidents were far too
constant, but these seemed to pale into insignificance once he hit
the high school, and puberty raised it ugly head. These were
definitely the toughest years of his life (and ours), socially,
academically and mentally, and we, as his family were in constant
state of turmoil, worry and anxiety trying to cope with him. Let
alone what he was going through, it was a very dark place, school
was a war-zone and at times even we thought we had lost him, and I
didn't think it would have been possible to get him out of his
depression, despair and isolation which was what his daily life had
evolved into.
Then along came Sally Green, she was initially introduced to me as a
Teacher with the Support Unit, and it was explained that Sally would
be overseeing a "High Functioning Autism Class" commencing next
year. With the difficulties our son was experiencing, and the fact
that his needs had increased so much, this sounded like nothing
short of a miracle sent straight from heaven. Towards mid - Year 9
his world started to turn around as a direct result of having Sally
in his life.
Sally helps Aaron on a daily basis, with timetable issues,
organization, projects, school work, homework issues and just
provides a place where he can “fit in”, and be part of an
understanding learning environment. The difference we have all seen
in him is amazing, he now get up out of bed, and arrives at school
on time, takes pride in schoolwork, and occasionally gets asked out
on weekends to social outings. Really, what more could a parent ask
for?
Sally has helped us fine-tuned his timetable, adjusted what
electives he would be doing, and could cope with and now in yr. 10,
the change we have seen in him is just about beyond words. She
assists us by providing a liaison between school and home which we
didn’t have prior, and work and assignments would simply “slip
between the cracks”.
Sally Green is the sort of Teacher that comes along, once in a
lifetime, we are so very fortunate that she happened to be employed
for our school, and the influence she has had over our son is such a
positive, nurturing and reliable one, he has been able to achieve
well beyond our expectations. Put simply, without her, he would not
be at that school, or doing as well as he is doing.
We are eternally grateful.
RETURN TO AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT PAGE
Copyright 2008 Coulter Video
