As a special education teacher, I am witness to amazing accomplishments every day. I know God works through me and my colleagues as I watch the awesome things my students do each day.

We started a coffee cart for our students a couple of years ago, so that our kids could learn life skills, practice in real life situations, and continue to build relationships between our mainstream teachers and our students. It has been amazing to watch the students as the years go by. Their confidence has increased greatly. They have learned about work ethic, job responsibilities, and the power of working together as they embark upon their tasks during the week.

Students make and deliver coffee, tea, and cocoa to our staff members who have signed up to participate. The smiles seen as students enter mainstream classrooms and engage in their transactions are second to none. The life skills, conversation, and job duties have been great for our students.

I was only part of the idea and the first year start up, and now I participate as a “buyer.” The pride and the accomplished feelings I see each Tuesday and Thursday as our students deliver is so great. The kids take such ownership of their responsibilities from washing coffee mugs, sanitizing coffee mugs, making the coffee, delivering the orders, billing for the orders received, as well as the small job details.

The increased self-esteem, self-confidence, responsibility, as well as the feeling of accomplishment is so beautiful to watch as the year goes on.

Bearing witness to God’s love, innocence, and accomplishments through the eyes of our students is incredible to experience each day as we go to work.

The prayer for tonight is: Loving Lord, give us eyes to see, and ears to hear of your love for us and for all of your creation. Open our mouths so that our lips and all we are may declare your praise. Amen