My husband and I are parents to five fun kids, one of whom has special needs. Our son has a safe and happy home with brothers and a sister who love him dearly. Together we have navigated the challenges of living, loving and caring for someone non-verbal but has his own way of communicating.

Our family truly felt complete with the addition of two ridiculously sweet and playful doodles: Coconut and Poptart. Our home is loud and chaotic but full of my favorite people.

Now that our son is older, we are able to do more traveling. I love to travel with my husband and kids but now I get to start a wonderful new journey with my students who are frankly, the awesomest kids on the planet.

Here are some of the books that I have recently read, am currently reading, or hope to read next:

• Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism, by Barry M. Prizant, PhD

• Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies For Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom, by Kristin Souers with Pete Hall

• The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion, by Jonathan Haidt

• The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control, by Katherine Morgan Schafler

Feed the Birds: Richard and Robers Sherman

"Come feed the little birds, show them you care

And you'll be glad if you do.

Their young ones are hungry, their nests are so bare,

All it takes is tuppence from you."

Sing: Joe Raposo

"Sing! Sing a song. Sing out loud, sing out strong . . .

Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear. Just sing! Sing a song!"