There was a time in my life where I had a great job. I directed a large church choir. When they sang, I felt like I was so close to God. I had to resign because of several conflicting opinions and my professionalism. Needless to say, I was so devestated....I would cry for days. As part of my therapy, self-therapy, I felt like painting. I had to get the emotions out....out of my body. I bought 3 boards and red, and black paint...and some soft blues and violets.
The first board was a picture of my broken heart. I felt like someone had just stomped and destroyed it. The second board is a screaming face...the anger....yelling uncontrollably signified by a round black face by a red open
The first board was a picture of my broken heart. I felt like someone had just stomped and destroyed it. The second board is a screaming face...the anger....yelling uncontrollably signified by a round black face by a red open
mouth.... The third board was "smeared" pastels...indicating a calming feeling. The titles for the pictures are 1. Hurt 2. Screaming 3. Peace.
For some reason, I took these pictures to my classroom...and explained what each picture meant...and the sound that accompanied it....including a scream....and with the pastels....ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....a release, relaxing feeling. I placed the 3 boards on the chalkboard tray. It more or less indicated turning anger into peace.
One student would get out of his seat and go up to the board and pick up each picture and emulate the sound. The other students were learning how to touch type...so students were always up and down out of their seats to record scores, etc. and to confer with me.
This was when this student was in fourth grade. When he was in sixth grade, he became more unmanageable for some unknown reason. Then I would hear how he almost strangled another student at recess. The teachers described him as violent. I was in disbelief. As this was a private school and after meetings with his parents he left the school and was getting special help. After he left, a teacher finally confided in me....and told me never to let on to anyone that I knew.....that this student had Tourette's.
I was always a "special" teacher who taught thousands of students...so I could easily pick out a student who needed some extra attention and positive "strokes". However, other teachers seemed to never understand that we were teachers too. This explanation by the teacher (in confidence) sure explained a lot of things. If only, I had known. I thought back to when he was in fourth grade....and the paintings....he was feeling it then...oh my.
I have seen this student grow up as I occasionally attend the church his family attends. When I see him, I always give him a special hello...and you know I think he knows that I understand and always did......and then there were the paintings. He was trying to tell us something then........................
This was when this student was in fourth grade. When he was in sixth grade, he became more unmanageable for some unknown reason. Then I would hear how he almost strangled another student at recess. The teachers described him as violent. I was in disbelief. As this was a private school and after meetings with his parents he left the school and was getting special help. After he left, a teacher finally confided in me....and told me never to let on to anyone that I knew.....that this student had Tourette's.
I was always a "special" teacher who taught thousands of students...so I could easily pick out a student who needed some extra attention and positive "strokes". However, other teachers seemed to never understand that we were teachers too. This explanation by the teacher (in confidence) sure explained a lot of things. If only, I had known. I thought back to when he was in fourth grade....and the paintings....he was feeling it then...oh my.
I have seen this student grow up as I occasionally attend the church his family attends. When I see him, I always give him a special hello...and you know I think he knows that I understand and always did......and then there were the paintings. He was trying to tell us something then........................
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