> So, I just got a job at the elementary school down the street. I'm now a special ed teacher's assistant. I'll be helping with mentally handicapped children.
> I'm pretty nervous, since I don't know anything about children. The fact that the kids are handicapped makes me even more apprehensive. I don't want to make a mistake and hurt somebody.
> Jez"Jack of all trades, master of none"zika

I used to be a special ed teacher's assistant. It was the greatest year of my life. I was also really nervous before the first day. Here's how the first two minutes went: I was standing with the teacher, waiting for the students to arrive. One student came through the door and saw a desk. He walked to the desk and began feeling the wood finish, saying, "This is beautiful. This is so beautiful. Can I sit here?" The teacher said yes and I knew everything was going to be great.

And it was. The one thing I learned is that these students have such complete personalities. They have mental retardation, and you'll be helping them live as complete a life as possible despite that, but they also wear there humanity on thier sleeves. It's enviable.

Euge'wandering through some great memories'ne

P.S.
Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions, etc.