Help Tira raise money

The Special Olympics is an important cause that’s very close to my heart. I am a teacher that never thought I would be involved in with special education- I was trained in general education and I truly didn’t think I had it in me to. After several years of trying to get a contract teaching position in western PA (which if you know anything about teaching it’s near impossible to get a job here in Western PA). As I tried and tried to land a contract I was rejected time and time again. Until the 2021-2022 school year. I was fired from a catholic school (before the school year began) for supporting The LGBT+ community. It was July and I had no job in sight. Through some connections I managed to land a paraprofessional position at Avonworth school district. It was not the job I dreamed of but man oh man did I need it. My job as a paraprofessional was to be a one-on-one aid with students in the life skills classroom. I was mostly managing 3 students. At the beginning of the year I would not have imagined how these students would not only impact my life for the better but change my whole philosophy on my place in education. Everyday students of various abilities are not given the stage to showcase not only their skills but to showcase the most magnificent people this planet has to offer. I’m running for my former students and they tenacity and perseverance as this cruel world has thrown so many curve balls to them and yet they take them in stride. I’m running because working with the special Olympics was not only rewarding but it was the best experience. The 2021-2022 school year will forever be one of the most challenging years of my career but it’s also my favorite year. I want to continue to provide the Special Olympics with ample opportunities to continue to allow people of all abilities to thrive.