Publisher's Synopsis
On her first day as an Educational Assistant, Shelley Little Maw learned that her assigned students didn't sit quietly and obey instructions. They screamed and yelled, flipped tables, threw scissors, refused to work, tore books, and bolted from their classrooms-and very early on she feared she didn't have what it takes to support them. How to build meaningful, impactful and effective relationships with students like these?In Are You with Me Now? Maw brings us into the day-to-day challenges of four students, and how she struggled herself as she tried to help them. In candid, honest and sometimes heart-breaking stories, Maw shares her own life-changing discovery--that her fears about her own inadequacies were shared by her students. And her desire to make a difference in their lives was mirrored by their need to matter and find their own worth. When she decided to let them make a difference--in her--they did indeed, in surprising and profound ways. Through the stories of Sophia, Jacob, Emma and Ethan, we are brought into the struggles of elementary school students with various physical disabilities, learning disabilities and delays, and behavioural challenges. In the midst of disconnections, behavioural breakdowns, and some threatening situations, both Maw and her students learned together the nitty gritty of building impactful one-on-one relationships; the power of strong connection, forgiveness and faith. Her stories will surprise, challenge and encourage those seeking to effectively support those different than themselves. With real-life situations, conversations, and personal reflections Maw inspires readers with her search for authentic connection and her desire to live her faith; in the words of Pope Francis, "in jeans and tennis shoes" every day at school. The lessons she learns about herself, her students and her faith will touch the hearts of educational assistants, child and youth workers, personal support workers, teachers, friends and family of children with special needs. This book will change the way they see themselves, God and those in their care who seem to be so different. Shelley Little Maw has been an educational assistant for over 15 years; supporting elementary school students with a wide variety of special needs, and seeing a bit of herself in every one. Before becoming an EA, she homeschooled her own three children through their kindergarten and primary school years. She earned her Educational Assistant Certificate from Conestoga College ON, and she holds an Associate Degree of Practical Theology from Christ for the Nations Institute, Dallas TX. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband Dale, a cat, several chickens, and zillions of honeybees.
