Central Reg. Special Ed. Teacher Visits Students As Easter Bunny

BERKELEY, NJ — Liz Smith generally plans an egg scavenger hunt for her students. But novel-coronavirus restrictions forced the Central Regional special-education teacher to improvise.

Smith cleaned out her house and realized she still had Easter materials she got for her class. She gave herself two choices.

"I figured I could drive them over, or I could dress up like the Easter bunny," Smith said. "So I dressed up like the Easter bunny."

Smith called a friend who hosts a big egg hunt every year and borrowed her Easter bunny costume. She told students' parents she would visit each of their homes in costume, and they didn't have to tell their children it was her. But Smith left a note inside each basket saying she gifted them.

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The teacher also let parents know that she set up the baskets while wearing gloves, and they didn't have to open their doors. She could leave it on their porch.

Some students took the baskets, some stood near Smith without hugging and others stood behind their front doors. But their reactions were priceless.

A few exploded with excitement. One girl jumped up and down because she couldn't believe the Easter bunny came to her house. A few students are nonverbal or have limited speaking skills, but they expressed their feelings through their mannerisms.

"One of the student’s mothers said it was me," Smith said. "So she was yelling through the glass, ‘Hi, Mrs. Smith. I miss you. I want to go back to school. I can’t believe you’re here.’"

As students learn remotely, special education faces unique challenges. But Smith feels fortunate she can teach and communicate with them through several media, such as Google Classroom and FaceTime.

Parents send videos of them working on their assignments, and she's proud of how far they've come along with their book work and listening to stories online.

"It’s definitely a challenge with this level," Smith said, "but they’re doing the skills we do in the classroom, and that’s really all I could ask for."

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