Teachers: Wonder

     Professionally we are suppose to have it all together. We are suppose to look at students as equal people. I often wonder if Auggie was placed into my classroom what would happen, yes over time he would be accepted, but I know almost without a doubt that our first look at him would be just the same as everyone else. I can't explain it but I know we would have the moment where we would look at him and freeze and wonder what was going on. How do we prevent this? I don't know that we can. I truly know that I try to accept everyone as equals but I still fail when it comes to this. I know that I am not perfect but in my classroom I try my best to be a teacher that it accepting and promoting a positive atmosphere. I encourage them to be accepting of others that may be different because really we're all the same.  

Julian: Wonder

I think all of us as we read the part of Julian can relate it to someone in our lives. Julian is the popular guy that is almost afraid to become friends with anyone that isn't his "type". We see how he treats Auggie and becomes this type of bully that we all have seen. To be honest I think Julian is afraid to be friends with Auggie in fear of what it might do to his reputation. Julian doesn't want to lose his "cool" status to become friends with someone who is disformed. When I relate this to my life, I wasn't always the coolest person in my school, I wouldn't even say I was popular, but what I learned through my experiences of high school, is those friends that truly "get" you will be by your side no matter what.

Parents: Wonder

I am not a parent. Many of you reading this may be. I know that you are told to love your children unconditionally and that you do. Raising a child with special needs is no different. Auggie's parents are a true example of what it means to be a family. They never make him do anything he doesn't want to do. They support him in all he does. They listen, respect, and enjoy his company. As I read this book I wonder if God blessed me with  a special needs child if I would be as kind and passionate. Life will always have several ups and downs but its what we do in those times that makes us who we are.