Upstaged

Last week was class picture day. The directions to the teachers was that when you brought your class over to the gym, kids should be lined up tallest to shortest. So as my designated Picture Day time approached, I began to get my class lined up appropriately as directed. "Row 4!" I called out. "Line up with the tallest in front and the shortest in the back! Leave plenty of room between you!" The kids in the fourth row lined up at the door, and began to sort themselves out according to my directions. Bobby got in the front, and Cindy sheepishly walked to the rear as if embarrassed to be short. But she giggled all the way. "Good job row 4! Now, row 3-same thing! Fit yourself into the line!" Row three students got up and headed to the line and sorted themselves out with input from the kids who were still in their seats: Steve, get in front of Bobby! No, I think Molly is taller... As all of this was happening, I noticed that Jason, the student with Autism, was getting more and more fidgety. Finally, he said, "Mrs. Teacher, I'm kind of nervous about lining up..." "Well, Jason...what would make you less nervous? Do you want to stand next to me for the class picture?" I asked. Jason thought that that was a good idea, and he lined up at the front of the line, his usual spot. We left the classroom and walked over to the gym. Upon arrival, I asked the photographer if Jason could stand next to me on the risers. That would be fine, I was told, so Jason and I headed to the risers. The photographer began to arrange the rest of the students on the risers. Jason watched. Soon, he said to, "Mrs. Teacher, I think I want to stand on the top row of the riser." "But Jason," I said. "I thought you wanted to stand by me!" "Yeah, but I think I want to stand on the top row!" So I asked the photographer (again...) if he would accommodate Jason's wishes. He did. And Jason was happy. I was upstaged by risers.