“I am different, not less.”
- Temple Grandin
I was happy yet uncertain when my family and I arrived in New Mexico. My second child had been homeschooled for two years because he is on the spectrum. We were transitioning to a regular curriculum, so I wanted to find a school where he would feel welcomed and comfortable. Even before we left the Philippines, I heard amazing stories about the special education program at Mesa View Elementary, and I knew it was where my son would thrive.
I started teaching in Grants in January 2024, and by July, my husband and two children joined me. Even before they arrived, I attended several Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings - as a teacher, not as a parent. I thought I understood what to expect from these meetings but sitting in my first IEP meeting as a mother was completely different. It was overwhelming in the best way, like the relief of rain after a dry summer or the vastness of a starry night. I remember thanking the team and saying, “It’s like a window has been opened right before my eyes, and I am seeing another wonderful view of my son”. Everyone in the meeting assured me that my child’s growth is their priority - Ms. Gerlie Hernandez (Case Manager), Ms. Patricia Cachini (Adviser), Ms. Mary Sanchez (Speech Therapist), Mr. Lance Allee (Physical Therapist), Mr. Jed Pieniadz (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant), Ms. Tammy Christensen (Diagnostician), and Ms. Lee Dubois (Facilitator), and Ms. Amy Ray (Principal).
At the beginning of the school year, we were asked to come to the school’s Autism Night, and the art activity prepared was one for the books. My child, completely enthused, doodled all the logos he loves on sheets of colored paper - Google, Microsoft, Windows, Amazon, Walmart, Burger King, and many more! He was accepted in a space that celebrated him just as he is.
I found out later that Autism Night is done monthly. Teachers and staff who have gone out of their way to make families like mine feel appreciated include Ms. Janis Bodley, Ms. Jodi Gann, Ms. Mary Sanchez, Ms. Isabelle Baca, Ms. Gerlie Henrandez, Ms. Cheenee Newberry, Dr. Ever Acosta, and Ms. Amy Ray. We made sensory bottles, played obstacle games, and enjoyed a bubble machine on the second night we attended. The fleeting bubbles reminded me of the unique moments in every autistic child's life where brief bursts of joy leave a lasting smile.
Mesa View doesn’t just have Autism Night, it also shows how much it cares for children with special needs. With personalized teaching, caring teachers, and constant feedback, the school provides a home for students who would feel safe and valued.
This new journey has truly changed how I see things, both as a parent and as a teacher. When students in my class struggle to focus or participate, I quickly assume they are being difficult. But now, I pause and wonder if they are simply having a hard day. Every lesson I prepare is not just about being engaging, but about being inclusive and empowering those who need it most. I think of Ms. Hernandez and Ms. Newberry, who spend so much time with my son on weekdays. Some days, I know he makes things harder for them, yet they still welcome him into their classroom during lunch, even as they eat their meals. It makes me reflect. How do I pay it forward with my students?
Because of Mesa View’s Autism Night, I’ve had the confidence to connect with other parents of children with special needs, like Ms. Samantha Small and Ms. Babylin Catapang, who have become my go-to mommies. Through our conversations, I’ve gained insight into the challenges of raising a child on the spectrum. I’ve realized that: it’s fine to skip parties and gatherings; my child’s picky eating is just part of who he is; it’s smart to overpack when traveling; and it’s normal to wonder if I might also have ADHD or autism.
Thank you to everyone at Mesa View Elementary, especially Ms. Ray, a hands-on leader, who assisted me even before the school year began by calling my husband and me after office hours to offer guidance. I apologize for causing her to cry during Autism Night when I shared my son’s prayer - how he remembers everyone so perfectly, from teachers to classmates to staff, and prays for them all in an order only he understands. Her belief in my son's unrushed progress, including that of his teachers, means the world.
That said, I will always believe that children see the world uniquely and beautifully. With the right support and understanding, their strengths can shine.