When I first started at Lionheart in 2015, I was new to DIR-Floortime, a type of relationship-based therapy for children with developmental disorders. I did my research before my interview and thought, “This place could be a good match for me.” Fast forward to 2024…Lionheart wasn’t just a good match; It was the perfect match! 

During my first week of teacher planning, the staff were all so enthusiastic, but what sold it for me was that first open house! Students and parents flowed into the classrooms with joy and eagerness to be at their school, where they felt safe and accepted. The students were happy, and the teachers’ excitement matched the students. It was obvious that the teachers, specialists, families, and students loved Lionheart. There was a pride that radiated off of the collective group. This was just the beginning of an amazing teaching/learning journey for me.

I hope everyone finds a place that brings them joy and fulfillment, as Lionheart has been for me. Lionheart is a school like no other that I have experienced. I have worked in a residential setting, therapeutic day schools, preschools, and public schools. I enjoyed each setting; however, something was missing. I often felt that I had to shield my students from unfair expectations and assumptions.  I wanted teachers and peers to truly see my students and understand their strengths, their beauty, and the many wonderful things that made them who they were. Often, the unfair expectation for them to learn a certain way and to be able to maintain regulation in large group settings led to misunderstood behaviors, which clouded the way others viewed my students. At Lionheart, I found that missing piece. 

What was missing? Three powerful letters- D I R. Developmental levels, Individual Profile, and Relationships! Don’t get me wrong, looking back, there were bits and pieces of DIR, but not consistently and not across the board. At the time, I was not familiar with DIR-Floortime, but I quickly realized that I wanted to be a part of this community and learn how to truly teach neurodiverse students.  When asked to share what Lionheart means to me and why I love teaching here, I thought, “How am I going to get this all onto one page? I could go on forever!” It has been a while since I wrote a paper, and I am rusty; however, I am great at writing lists and bullet points. So here goes my list of reasons I love being part of the Lionheart family:

• Collaborative approach. We are a team! Parents, students, teachers, specialists, we all work together to support each student and help them achieve their greatest potential. It is an ongoing process that we value. Each student has a team of dedicated adults in their corner!
• Inclusion. Our students and staff set the standard for inclusion. Our students are so accepting of each other, and the teachers are pros at finding that special something in each INDIVIDUAL child.
• RELATIONSHIPS come first. Before you can ask a child to trust you and be in the moment with you, there must be a relationship. So much of our focus is on building relationships with individuals, families, the collective classroom, etc. In the classrooms, we develop a community of learners working together while respecting each profile. It is beautiful to witness the students problem-solving together and helping one another through various challenges.
• Student-driven. I love that Lionheart is student-driven, not curriculum-driven. We remain dedicated to academic growth, but we do not expect our students to all learn the same and value regulation over product. Our academics are developed around affinities and strengths. We look for that gleam in the eye! 
• Permission to feel. We allow students to have their feelings. We do not tell them how to feel. When a student is experiencing an uncomfortable feeling, we are in the moment with them until that feeling passes. Students are allowed to have “off” days and moments. When the moment passes, we are ready to move forward together.
• Lionheart Community. We are a strong community. Our community is not just in the classrooms or the building. It reaches out to families, physicians, staff, surrounding businesses, and the greater community. The love and support that flows in and out of our community matches its name. LIONHEART.