I am often asked why I love my job so much. Yes I love helping others, Yes I like making a difference, Yes I like working with children, but what I love most is knowing the work I do counts in the long run. I recently received an email from a client of mine- she has a non-verbal child on the Autism Spectrum who I started working with when she was around 4 years old. She is now a young lady at the age of 12. She writes....

Hi Cori,
This morning I saw G's close friend's Mom who works at Vaughan public library. This women is aware S. has autism, but not the severity. I told her S. Is non verbal and using a voice output app on iPad to communicate. Next question she asked ( appropriate for a librarian ). Does S. Know how to read ? I said yes and that is because of intensive teaching though her autism treatment centre. School teachers just supported the teaching strategies already implemented by S's Treatment director. Well that person is you! Over the years I have been asked by Friends or people who are aware of S. How she learned to read and I tell them about your commitment to her education. I will always be thankful and grateful for your commitment to teach S. How to read before even entering grade one! Clicker stories on my IPad remind me of those early elementary school years. You should be extremely proud of the work you have done to shape S. Mind before entering school full time. Now S can read , comprehend and type her responses. This is because of your knowledge and commitment to her treatment and care.
Ok, I am tearing up now and have to go and make the dinner pizza which S. Eats at 4:00.

My response to emails like this is "THANK YOU!". Thank you for allowing me to work with your child. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for supporting my approaches along the way. I am extremely grateful for each and every one of my students and clients. They #educate me, #motivate me, and #accelerate me to be the best educator I can be.