Leilani Bost:

Zigzagging through jobs in my life, and trying out, using, and developing my talents and interests in each of them, I have to admit, I never envisioned this place where I have finally landed. I’m working as a one-on-one instructor with autistic and special needs students in a non-public school setting. Places I’ve been, experiences I’ve had, courses studied, credentials earned, people I’ve known were diverse and enriching, but nothing was specifically of the nature of a plan to work in this field. Most people would and do say, “Oh, I couldn’t do what you do as a job.” And I say, “That’s what I thought within a week after I started.” (That was several years ago.) But it’s a job that you grow into, it’s a world of moment-to-moment realizations, confusions, little miracles, disappointments and jubilations, sad times and glad times . . . all wrapped up in a dizzying array of sights, sounds and smells. What makes this job so worthwhile is the people. We are staff and students in a strange, busy hive. My fellow workers are the best people in the world from a wide mix of cultures, walks of life, talents, and backgrounds who have all come together in a wealth of compassion and generosity. Each workday brings with it the goodness of shared laughter, encouragement, hugs, creativity, and discoveries from staff and students alike. Oh yes, we work with challenging, combative students who can knock us to the floor, and yank out a thick hank of hair in a split second; but one minute later, the same student will have us stifling a heartfelt laugh at just hearing his infectious and endearing belly-laugh. For certain, there are days in which I go home frazzled and think I can’t make through another day. Those are also the nights that I go to sleep thinking of how much success I’ve seen at the school that day: a child mustered the courage to stand up and walk through the halls and smile at people after years of hiding behind curtains and doors and her fears. And I hear again the congratulatory clapping, hooting, and cheering from staff and students as this girl walked by, displaying her newfound bravery. Each new day brings more new and colorful stories at T.E.R.I., Inc. It dawns on me that I’m now a part of the story-telling staff. It makes me proud to be a part of this community. We are not only making valuable contributions in the lives of our students and their families, but in the lives of each other as coworkers and friends. Stay tuned, Big World, you’ll be hearing a lot more from this little corner of the world.