In planning for this upcoming school year, we had decided for Sutton to stay at her current school, which is an auditory-oral language school. This means that the focus of the school is on listening and spoken language. Her classroom was led by a certified deaf/hard of hearing teacher, and Sutton was in class with other kids with hearing loss, as well as typical hearing friends. She had a wonderful year there last year, which was especially important to us as it was her first full year of school with cochlear implants. We decided to stay consistent, and keep her there for Pre-K, hoping to prep her really well before entering into the “mainstream” classroom for Kinder. Additionally, we switched Sloane’s school to an environment closer to home, using her a a guinea pig of sorts to test the waters for school in the future.
Fast forward to this school year, about two weeks in, Dave and I were feeling the grind. It takes us over an hour just to get Sutton to drop off at her oral language school, let alone the drive following drop off back to an office close to home (Dave), or whichever school I was visiting for my job! Then, factoring in pick up, we were spending at minimum, 10 hours a week in the car for school. Don’t get me wrong, the therapy, the teachers, and the supports that Sutton received definitely factored into my mind as we weighed the pros and cons of her school situation. But add in the fact they were still requiring masks (not something I feel like debating or discussing), Sutton’s realization that she is spending so much time in the car, and a few other situations not suitable for internet fodder, we started to discuss the possibility of switching schools.
My mom heart was stressed. The thought of switching schools a few weeks into the year, losing her environment where everyone knew her, if something went wrong with her CI, they knew what to do, etc. the list goes on. But, our capacity as parents, friends, ministry partners, etc. was at its limit. We reached out to put Sutton on the wait list at Sloane’s private school, and then went to tour our “home” school where we are zoned and live literally one minute away. Right away the principal and the assistant principal made time to meet us and tour us around the school. They were honest, they had never had a child with cochlear implants at their school in the last 15+ years. I was worried, I called family, talked with friends, and prayed.
The day after our public school tour, I happened to have a zoom meeting with Sutton’s entire audiology team at the University of Miami. This included her audiologist, auditory verbal speech therapist, psychologist, and educational specialists. Essentially all the “-ists” lol. I mentioned our thoughts about switching Sutton to “mainstream,” (for those not in the educational world, this means into a classroom with all typical hearing kiddos, and a non- DHH certified teacher) and instantly they all agreed that Sutton could do it. She has surpassed every speech goal set before her, and has surpassed all initial expectations as a first year CI user. This was the boost we (especially me) needed to jump.
Fast forward to about a week after the zoom meeting, to Sutton’s IEP meeting. For those not in education, an IEP is an Individualized Education Plan. It is set in place by the public school as a document for kids with exceptionalities (learning disabilities, disorders, gifted, hearing loss, etc.) to be educated with supports in the public setting. I could probably write another whole blog post on IEP’s, in fact there are entire education classes, instagram accounts, YouTube videos, etc. dedicated to the topic, so you can do your own research 😉
So, we joined the IEP meeting, with the biggest team ever assembled. Her new school, her old school, her therapists, her educational specialists, us (her parents), and more! We sat and made a plan, with goals, for Sutton to transition to a mainstream pre-k setting. We discussed her strengths, her weaknesses, and what supports and accommodations she would need to access the same curriculum as her typical hearing peers. I left the marathon meeting feeling bittersweet. I was so excited for her, yet sad at losing the support and love we had come to know at her auditory-oral school.
So here we are, two days into the “big switch.” We registered her on Tuesday, and she went right into her classroom where her teacher and lots of new friends were eager and excited to greet her. Tonight, I went to open house at her new mainstream classroom, and I lingered to chat with the teacher, to make sure she was doing ok in those first two days.
I stood and got teary-eyed as her new teacher told me about Sutton’s first day. Our girl, with her blue eyes, big smile and bionic ears, got in front of a class of her typical hearing friends and told them ALL about her CI’s. She took one off, showed them the magnet, explained about how she could change the stickers, and told her new friends that she wears them to help her hear. She told them about how she had to have surgery to get her CI’s, and that she needs them because she can’t hear without them. My heart swelled with pride. The teacher told me she wished she recorded it, but that she was so stunned with Sutton’s confidence and self-advocacy that she couldn’t stop watching!
I know, as the parents of a child with a disability, that we are going to have lots of challenges ahead. However, I also know my little girl is an incredible little human, and she will continue to change the world with her bionic ears, but more importantly, her huge heart.
Find You Here 