"Just Right" Gift
Dare County Schools Exceptional Children's Director George Graham is flanked by (left) Sue Ward, Speech and Language Pathologist; and Sue Daniels, Hearing Impaired Teacher. Representing the district's Exceptional Children's Leadership Team, the two teachers presented Graham with a copy of the Bubel/Aiken Foundation's grant-funded Our Friend Mikayla, one of two books given to each of the district's five elementary schools in Graham's honor.
Dare County Schools Exceptional Children’s Leadership Team recently presented George Graham, Director Exceptional Children with a gift. They donated, in his honor, copies of Our Friend Mikayla and Heart of a Teacher to each of the districts five elementary school media centers.
Our Friend Mikayla is written and illustrated by third-grade students about their experiences with classmate Mikayla, a student with multiple disabilities. The book is the result of a grant from The Bubel/Aiken Foundation (Clay Aiken’s charity for the inclusion of children with disabilities) making the way for the third-grade authors to publish a book about friendship and acceptance. Heart of a Teacher is a book that was written by a special education teacher, Paula Fox. It conveys stories about teachers who have made a difference in the lives of others.
“I can think of no better gift to receive than to have books donated on my behalf to the elementary school media centers. What a thrill to know that others will be impacted in a positive way by reading these books," noted Graham. "I am truly grateful and humbled by this gift of love.”
All proceeds from the sale of Mikayla benefit the Bubel/Aiken Foundation. The Foundation provides services and financial assistance to promote the full integration of children with disabilities into the life environment of those without. The Foundation strives to create awareness about the diversity of individuals with disabilities and the possibilities that inclusion can bring.