One of my 6th graders was wheelchair-bound and nonverbal. I usually arrived as his mom and grandma were unloading him from the van. I'd always call out “Hello! Good morning!” and I did my best to include him in the class activities even though he couldn't participate. I still made it a point to make sure he wasn't left out.

He was always accompanied by his grandma. When I came in I'd squat down and tell him “Hello!” and when class was over, I would squat down and say “Bye bye! See you next week!” He would get the biggest smile on his face. His grandma would hold his wrist to wave goodbye. And one day, I told him “Bye bye!” for the last time.