Heyman thinks outside the box

NORWALK — Lyndsey Heyman wanted to be a teacher ever since she attended the grade school at which she now teaches. "I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in third grade, as a student in Carol Berry's class at Maplehurst (Elementary)," Heyman said. "I had the opportunity to come back to Maplehurst to student teach with two wonderful teachers, Marilyn Moore and Jan Sigg." Heyman said she thought she wanted to teach third grade, but "fell in love" working with students with special needs. Since 2003, she's taught special needs students at Maplehurst Elementary in a self-contained, low incidence/cross-categorical classroom. Heyman is married to Jacob, a farmer, and they have two children: a daughter, Brooke, 13, and son, Clay, 11. "I love that I get to spend every day with children, helping them learn about the world," Heyman said. "I don't just teach them letters and counting; I get the opportunity to teach them how to be students, including communication, social skills, as well as daily living skills." Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family and walking her basset hound, Hope. Heyman also plays the piano and enjoys vacationing in Maine. "Many times I get to spend at least two years with my students, and it is amazing to see their growth," she said. "I also love that I get to learn every day, not only from my students but from the amazing therapists that work with them." When schools first closed due to COVID, Heyman said she had no idea what to do. "I knew it would be hard for my students to understand why they were doing schoolwork at home," she said. "I found social stories, made visual schedules to send home and supplied families with visual cue cards that we used at school." Heyman said she had to think outside of the box to keep students engaged. "I started recording videos with the help of my children and my dog, where we re-enacted storybooks, went for walks and used an augmentative and alternative communication device, to name a few," she said. "During our time virtually, I delivered materials to their homes, recorded teaching videos, and found websites that would address students' academic needs, as well as focusing on their individualized education plan goals." Heyman said her students did amazing during the 2020-21 school year. "I was blessed to have wonderful aides in my classroom who helped make the students feel like it was a normal year, while behind the scenes we were having to do more than ever," Heyman said. "If students had to quarantine, we would have Zoom calls so they could still be a part of the class. The students loved seeing their classmates on the computer screen and it gave parents the opportunity to see the instruction that goes on in the classroom." One quote has kept her moving forward throughout all the difficulties. "'We are not all in the same boat. We are all in the same storm, but on different boats,'" Heyman said. "As educators, and even just as individuals, we need to show respect, give grace and have patience and understanding."