In the Fall of 2012, I was searching for a new job. I love working with children. So when a friend of mine mentioned openings for One on One teachers in our school district, I was right on it. I landed two interviews almost instantly. The first one was the one I originally wanted the most. The second, I was interested in but I was so skeptical. Admittedly, I was intimidated by the thought of working with an autistic child. Yet when they called me back and offered me the job, I took it without question. I will never forget the first day I met him. I was nervous and excited about how he would take to me. Then there he was; a sweet little boy with the brightest and happiest blue eyes I had ever seen. While shy to me at first, I knew that we would make the perfect team. That whole first day I guided him through like I had done it all of my life. Even through the hard times, I pushed through knowing that he needed my hand to walk him onward. The end of the day came and my boss looked on me with a reassuring smile and told me I would do wonderfully. It is now 10 months later my boy and I are indeed the perfect team I predicted us to be. We are a common sight and everyone knows us.I have been told that we have a great bond, not only by my colleagues but his mother as well. I'm happy and honored. Each day I proudly take his hand and say "Ok, buddy, lets go start the day." He is that little ray of sunshine that motivates me to work hard and inspire the way he has inspired me. He's my boy, and I love him and his beautiful blue eyes with all of my heart.

Nicole Smith
Kingman, AZ