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@MIDRIVERSNEWS NEWSMAGAZINENETWORK.COM
JUNE 12, 2013 MID RIVERS NEWSMAGAZINE
New Hope for CHildreN with Autism Spectrum disorder, Add and AdHd
A N G E R / F R U S T R Ai sTs uIeO s N SEN SORY issues I M P U L S Ii sVs uEe s Socialization Why is my child having difficulty making friends in school?
Impulsiveness Why doesn’t my child understand the consequences of his/her actions?
Focusing Why does my child have such difficulty paying attention in school or at home?
Hyper Activity Why can’t my child sit still in class? Why does my child have trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep at night?
• Highly Trained Medical Staff • Advanced Individualized Treatment Options • Most Medical Insurance Plans Accepted • Not Currently Accepting Medicaid • G enetic Consultation • Review of Medical records and clinical examination • Psychiatric diagnostic examination • Order laboratory testing
If you can relate to any of these questions there is help. ASd Treatment Clinic 636-922-4472 4101 Mexico rd. Suite H, St. peters, Mo 63376 www.AutismTreatmentClinics.com • ASDTreatmentClinic@gmail.com
From left to right: Lori Rupp, assistant principal intern; Mary Jo Linneman, assistant principal; Mary Morgan-Corbitt; Michele Hercules, principal; and Dr. Pam Sloan, superintendent
Warren Elementary teacher named MRN ‘Teacher of the Year’ By Carol Enright Teaching is a tough job. But Warren Elementary kindergarten teacher, Mary Corbitt, had no idea just how tough it would be this year as she led her class through an emotional journey of watching their classmate, Austin Burns, fight and, in the end, lose a heroic battle with brain cancer. Corbitt is the winner of this year’s Mid Rivers Newsmagazine’s “Teacher of the Year” Excellence in Education Award. And, by all accounts, she supported that little boy and his classmates, who grieved with grace and love, the loss of their friend after his death during the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. Valerie Troha, whose son was in Corbitt’s class this past school year, wrote the letter nominating Corbitt for Teacher of the Year. In it she praised Corbitt’s gift for teaching and caring for children: “Mrs. Corbitt was put on this earth to be that little guy’s loving, patient teacher. And the other kiddos are so blessed to have her to heal their hearts from losing their friend.” In an interview after Corbitt received the award, Troha said she nominated her son’s teacher because she cares about how her students are doing as a whole, not just academically. “She cares about the kids,” Troha said. Warren Elementary Principal Michele Hercules called Corbitt “a natural teacher.” “She’s kind and compassionate and caring — and just has this special ability to meet kids where they are and be able to nurture their individual needs,” Hercules said. Corbitt said she was completely surprised when she received the award at an all-school assembly. She called the honor “humbling” and said she was grateful for the recognition. “This building is amazing as far as the support that they give to the community and to kids and families every day,” Corbitt said.
She talked about how the school rallied behind her student and his family as he battled cancer — and how this outpouring of support was characteristic of the community. “Anytime a child or a family needs something outside of your typical day — if there’s a loss of any sort or a divorce or a grieving period for parents — we just rally behind that family,” Corbitt said. Reflecting on how she helped her students cope with the loss of their classmate, Corbitt said she “followed their lead.” “They really do just take it to the place that they can because of their age,” she explained. And then she recalled what happened on the day the students returned to class after their friend had died. It was snowing. “The whole class ran over to the window, and they said, ‘Austin’s sending us snow,’” said Corbitt. “And they really connected with that event naturally happening in nature. It really healed them. It was just such a beautiful gift.” Clearly, Corbitt’s students and their families believe that she is a gift. Troha said the day she found out her son would have Corbitt for his kindergarten teacher, everybody told her, “You hit the jackpot.” As part of her award from Mid Rivers Newsmagazine, Corbitt received a new iPad. But she called the award “just icing on the cake” for doing a job that she loves. “I love being able to help kids figure out what they’re good at and what they’re strong in and seeing them really shine when they figure it out,” Corbitt said. Mid Rivers Newsmagazine’s “Teacher of the Year” Excellence in Education Award was sponsored by Image Eye Care in Weldon Spring, Jeff Computers, The Joint…the chiropractic place in Cottleville, Payne Family Homes, Spiro’s Restaurant, Villages of St. Peters and Mid Rivers Newsmagazine.