Chapter 1: Building Lifelong Connections

This chapter shares multiple stories of a young educator working with early elementary students with various developmental disabilities and the lasting impact of intentional relationships. Rebelling against the unwritten rule to maintain a “professional” relationship with students and their families brought an unexpected dimension to this teacher’s life and led to relationships that have now spanned decades, beyond the education system and into a community based nonprofit organization. The stories shared highlight a range of emotions and outcomes, both happy and heartbreaking and are indicative of the important roles that educators can play in the lives of students with disabilities and their families.