I was a shy kid who could not speak aloud in front of strangers and elders. I had always tagged along with my elder sister in her shadow and was almost invisible. It was class 5 that made all the difference. It was my class teacher who made all the difference.

A month into class 5, my class teacher had to leave and a new teacher was appointed. She was new to the school as well. We called her Geeta Mohan Miss, using her full name. The very first day of class she noticed me and waved a bye when I left for home. I was surprised someone could see me. I blushed, waved a quick bye and ran. Continue Reading

As we watched our new students file into their classrooms, a fellow teacher said,  “Oh, you have Kenny.” She shook her head in sympathy and rolled her eyes upward.

The day before, another teacher had expressed a similar sentiment. They were warning me:  I was in for a rough time.

I closed the classroom door and made my way to my desk. To learn their names, I called roll, but I already knew who Kenny was. He slouched in his seat, his lanky body wilted, his listless face reflecting his school experience:  six years of defeat. Continue Reading

Please read the first submitted story published on Scinti!  We greatly appreciate Tim Holmes for sharing a story about his special daughter — Abby. Tim is married with three children (Abby being the oldest) and has been in the ministry for eighteen years.  He is currently serving in a church of about two hundred he started almost three years ago in Ashland, KY.  He has launched and led several different church and community programs supporting families with disabilities.  In 2004, he escorted a wheelchair athlete to Oita, Japan for the world’s largest Wheelchair marathon.

In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, this story is for all the teachers out there who are making a difference every day.

My daughter Abby was diagnosed at age two with Weaver’s syndrome, a rare accelerated growth syndrome.  She was tenth in the nation and thirty-third on the planet with this diagnosis. Primarily an accelerated growth syndrome, Abby was also diagnosed mild to moderate MRD. Her attitude is amazing.  She loves life and people, and assume everybody loves her

Just when you think you will be teaching someone, that someone turns out to teach you.  I personally believe some people are “called” in a sense to their professions, while others are there for some personal or monetary benefit only.  The following is an example of a teacher who I am convinced was called to be a teacher. Continue Reading