40 years working as a teacher, taking care of children with special needs

“It is true that sometimes I get tired, but when I leave I feel it was worthy, doing everything for them”, Valentina says.

Her classroom has children affected by autism, Down syndrome, mental retardation, epilepsy and schizophrenia.

“Not everyone understands the feeling you have when you work for these children. Those who work here understand it. We play the role of the teacher, of a psychiatrist, sociologist and cleaner at the same time”, Valentina says.

She has been working for the past 40 years, and recalls the first time she arrived at this school.

“I was excited to come here, but didn’t know what to expect. I tried to do things that were being done in normal schools.  I always tried to learn the ability of my teacher, Shpresa Kosta”, Valentina says, who has two children of her own, but her students feel as her kids as well.

“Even when I am at home I keep talking about them. The situation is now harder because there are more autistic children. Mirela, for example, loves taking care of the younger children. Arlind is calm, and this year he started opening the door for me and go to the bathroom on his own”, she says.

March 7^th, the Teachers’ Day, is the same as any other day for her. She is retiring soon, after 25 years of work in this specific school.

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