More Than Lessons: The Heart Behind Teaching and Nursing

Table of Contents

• Feel Good: Celebrating the Teachers and Nurses in our lives

• Travel Well: The virtual airport

• Thrive Together: Spelling opens doors

Celebrating the Teachers and Nurses in Our Lives

Do you remember a teacher who made a lasting impact on you? What was it about their approach that felt so special? How did they make you feel seen, supported, and understood?

I’ll never forget my kindergarten teacher—strict, demanding respect, and yes, a little scary! But then there were my delightful 2nd- and 3rd-grade teachers who made learning feel like play, and my nurturing 5th-grade teacher who always listened. In high school, my government and history teachers helped me tremendously as I was learning English. And I’ll always remember the newspaper club teacher who constantly encouraged me.

Along the way, I learned from seminary teachers and church leaders who guided me spiritually—like the one who carried my heavy backpack during my first camping trip.
There was also the kind woman who taught me bookkeeping when I started my first business, and many others who taught me more than just facts — they showed me how to grow.

Life is a journey of continuous learning—and in May, we shine a spotlight not only on teachers, but also on nurses. Nursing isn’t just a hospital role; it’s an act of caring in many forms. Some nurses compassionately advocate for their patients, others offer gentle hands that bring comfort and healing. And yes, even the “tough” nurses, like the ones from cartoons, who somehow make that quick poke feel like a rite of passage!

As parents—especially parents of children on the autism spectrum—we are both teachers and nurses every single day.
We adapt our lessons to meet unique learning styles, find creative ways to explain big emotions, and celebrate each small victory. We soothe scraped knees with kisses and Band-Aids. We smother boo-boos and worries with kindness and patience.

We teach. We nurse. We nurture. And we do it wholeheartedly, through all the ups and downs.
It’s a journey we wouldn’t trade for anything.

To every teacher and nurse who has touched our lives—and to every parent doing both jobs every single day:
thank you. We see you, we appreciate you, and we’re grateful for the love and care you share.

✈️ Preparing for Takeoff: Helping Your Child Feel Ready to Fly 🧑‍⚕️

In our previous newsletter, we shared helpful airline information to support your travel planning. Today, we’d like to take it a step further by sharing a video designed to help your child feel more at ease—especially if they’ve never flown before.

This video offers a walk-through of what to expect at the airport and on the plane, which can be incredibly helpful if an in-person airport tour isn’t an option. Watching it together can spark important conversations and reduce anxiety by making the unfamiliar more familiar.

“Let’s Go To The Airport” takes you on a virtual tour of an airport

✈️Let us know if it helps, or if you have other tools you’ve used successfully—we love hearing your ideas!🧳What would you take on your carry-on? Snacks, sensory friendly toys? a special blanket? Remember to bring your favorite empty water bottle, you can fill after you go through security!

A Moment of Harmony

Last Saturday, I had the privilege of attending a Sound Healing session at the peaceful and breathtaking Sanctuary Cove in Tucson, Arizona. The event was hosted by Tucson Spellers, and it was one of those experiences that lingers in your heart long after it ends.

Surrounded by families and non-speakers, we sat in quiet reverence as the beautiful tones of the sound bowls filled the air. The setting was serene, the energy gentle and safe, and the sounds… absolutely incredible.

Then something extraordinary happened.
For a brief moment, almost all the kids began humming in unison with the sound bowls. It was spontaneous, unplanned—but deeply powerful.
In those few seconds, something sacred passed through the space—a unity of hearts.
And then, as expected, their bodies returned to their natural rhythms. But that moment of shared sound? I’ll never forget it.

I continue to be amazed by the empowering path that spelling offers non-speakers. Tucson Spellers is more than just a group—it’s a community that hosts regular hikes, healing events, and other fun activities that create connection, confidence, and belonging.

I encourage you to look around—see if there’s a similar group near you. Volunteer. Join them. Invite someone who hasn’t found their voice yet…
Because sometimes, a voice is waiting to be discovered—one letter at a time.

Have you ever known someone who couldn’t speak for years… and then learned to spell?
It’s life-changing. Their world opens up—and so does ours.

I’ve witnessed it myself: kids with high-needs autism and apraxia learning to communicate through spelling. It’s like watching a door swing wide open after being locked for so long. The light that comes through is unforgettable.

Spelling to communicate is more than just letters—it’s connection, it’s expression, it’s freedom.

You can learn more from the group I went to visit

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