Here it is again. The end of summer. The beginning of fall. Like many people, Im a fan of the warm weather and hate to see it go. Fall means the beginning of football season which admittedly, I love. However, I always get a pit in my stomach during the first few weeks of September. It isnt because Im dreading winter or Im nervous to see how my favorite football teams will do.

September means the beginning of another school year in Wisconsin. I see my friends who are teachers post about their preparations, excitement, and nervousness of the first days of school on Facebook. Other friends post stories and picture of their kids first day of school. I understand these are perfectly normal things to post. The reason for the pit in my stomach is because I see teachers are back doing what they loveteaching.

You see, teaching is in my blood. My mom has been an educator for over 30 years. I have an aunt and uncle who are teachers, and many, many of my friends are teachers. If I didnt have severe physical limitations, theres no doubt in my mind that I would have been a teacher. I love kids and I love helping them succeed. Its just who I am. I likely would have been an elementary teacher or special education teacher. Im not sure if my interested in special education is due to me having a disability or notit likely does.

People who have disabilities can certainly be teachers. In fact, a few of my friends who have disabilities are teachers. For me, though, it just isnt a feasible option. Even with accommodations, it would be very hard and wouldnt be fair to the students. I would never want to provide children with anything less than a great educational experience and I know I physically wouldnt be able to do that.

As hard as it to accept, Ive found different ways I can teach. I had a great opportunity to be an online mentor for students with disabilities for a few years. I helped them through online modules and was able to share some of my experiences with them. I also make presentations about disability awareness and about my life to many groups. Ive presented to kindergarten to college classes and to every age between. Doing these presentations makes me feel like Im teaching. Ive also realized that Im teaching others when I post things on the networks.

Although, Im not sure that the feeling in my stomach each September will ever go away, Ive found ways to feel like Im teaching and helping others learn. My hope is that Ive made a difference in other peoples lives!

The views expressed here are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of InControl Wisconsin, the Network or any of our sponsors.