"There is hope in every day": on the joys and struggles of being a teacher in a special school

“There is hope in every day”: on the joys and sorrows of being a teacher in a special school

Early morning, the day is just beginning. The courtyard of special boarding school No. 105, located in the Qorasuv district of Tashkent, gradually fills with people. This place is different from ordinary schools: here, children with special educational needs, who have mild and moderate intellectual disabilities, are given love and adapted to life.

It is 8:30. The school educator, Zulfiya opa, brings the children and hands them over to the primary school teacher, Nargiza opa Hayitoxunova. Every day, classes begin in this manner, and after classes, the children who stay at the boarding school do their homework and engage in additional activities under the supervision of educators.

### The first step: A lesson of patience in front of the blackboard

As soon as you enter the classroom, you notice a special atmosphere. Today's lesson is “Mother Tongue”. The teacher does not simply explain vowels and consonants, or the letters of the Latin alphabet, but approaches each child individually and takes them by the hand. Educating children with intellectual disabilities cannot be achieved through ordinary methodology. Here, the main weapon is endless patience and sincerity. Nargiza opa never shouts at or scolds the children for their tantrums, inattentiveness, or unusual behavior.

According to parents, a child never lies. These fragile souls, who shy away from anyone who shouts, run to hug Nargiza opa when they see her.

“When they came to the first grade last school year, it was quite difficult. A child coming from kindergarten is free — they play if they want, they sit if they want. At school, however, every student has their own place and learning materials. Every child is the most precious in their family. When parents come and rejoice at even the smallest achievement of their children, I feel that our work has not been in vain,” says the teacher with a smile on her face.

Nargiza opa is not just an ordinary pedagogue; she is a defectologist, a speech therapist, and a co-author of the special “Mother Tongue” textbook designed for 2nd grade. Her 36 years of experience are reflected in its every page and every methodology.

### Hopes realized like a miracle

During her pedagogical career, Nargiza opa also worked in the medical-pedagogical commission for 15 years. Seeing children with various severe diagnoses, she does not hide that she felt a sense of gratitude for every healthy organ of a human being. The fate of a boy named Ibrohim, who studied at home (home-schooled), suffered from severe hydrocephalus, and was deprived of the ability to move and speak, is a bright proof of this patience.

Even though doctors and specialists concluded that “he cannot be taught,” a miracle happened over the course of 4 years thanks to the determination of the teacher and a dedicated mother. The boy learned to hold a pen, recognize animals from pictures, and even respond by making sounds.

“If I started working at the age of 19, I am now 55. Even if I went back to being 19 again, I would still choose this profession. These children are my life, my everything,” says Nargiza opa.

### A sacred place uniting four generations: A reportage from the home

After the class processes at school, the second part of our reportage continued at the teacher's home. Surprisingly, almost all the neighbors in the multi-story building where Nargiza opa lives are also teachers. However, the greatest miracle was hidden inside this apartment. This family is a true dynasty of pedagogues, carrying the honor of teaching on their shoulders for four generations!

At the head of the dynasty, the 56-year dedication of Anora ona has been continued by Naziraxon opa Shamsiyeva, who has now reached the age of 81. Naziraxon opa worked as a primary school teacher for 40 years and became the first teacher of her own daughter, Nargiza. Today, Nargiza opa's daughters — the fourth generation of the dynasty — have also chosen this blessed profession.

A warm conversation begins around the table. The memories of these women, who carried the responsibilities of motherhood and teaching equally, and raised their children to be decent members of society with the moral support of their husbands at the time, would move anyone.

As pilaf is being simmered in the kitchen, Nargiza opa emphasizes that the responsibilities of work and household are equal in a woman's life:

“We are teachers at work, and mothers at home. Both responsibilities are equally heavy. While we are responsible at work for the children entrusted to us by their parents, at home you are responsible for the future of your own children. Every day, I discuss school experiences and new methodologies with my daughters. We are both teachers and students to each other.”

The simple and affectionate words of the granddaughter, Robiyaxon, in the household indicate that the chain of upbringing in this family has not been broken:

“My grandmother is the best grandmother. She shares her knowledge with other children, I love her very much!”

### In conclusion

Giving knowledge to humanity is the highest blessing. But sharing the light of life with fragile souls who need love and special attention is a true act of courage and heroism.

Every day, such silent acts of courage take place at special boarding school No. 105. Thanks to the work of Nargiza opa and hundreds of dedicated teachers like her, children who could have been isolated from society are returning to life, learning to write and say the sacred word “Mother”.

And where there is love, miracles always happen.