After my freshman year of high school, I decided to apply to work at a summer camp for children with disabilities; little did I know it would change my life.

I started the job not knowing what I was really getting into. I had no idea that I would have such a big impact on these children's lives and that they would have an even bigger impact on mine.

Have patience.

Working with these students has taught me that good things take time and you won't get anything out of rushing. To see success with these kids, you have to have full patience and you have to work with their pace. Certain tasks may take longer to complete than others and you will help them to feel most successful with they finish them on their own terms.

I have learned to apply the skill of patience in my own life as well. By learning that good things take time, I have changed some habits in my life and have learned to appreciate time.

Abigail Lindenmeier

You have to appreciate the small victories.

In life, if you never appreciate the small victories then you won't feel as successful. I have learned to use this skill in the classroom but also very importantly, out of the classroom as well.

By taking small steps to reach a larger goal, you're setting yourself up for success. Each one of those steps is a little victory and you should celebrate those victories because you worked very hard towards them.

In the classroom, we are taught to praise the small steps that it takes the students to reach their goal. These students need constant encouragement because even small tasks may seem mighty and unachievable. By praising these small tasks, we are teaching them that anything is possible no matter how hard it may seem, it just may take a little extra work.

Camp !magine

Embrace the good moments and forget the bad.

With this camp comes some difficult days and some amazing days. We have learned to really appreciate the good days and to treat the rough days like small bumps in the road. If we were to spend all of our energy focusing on the bad moments, then we would always feel discouraged. Children are constantly growing and changing and some days are better than others; this means that we have to treat every day like a new day.

Sometimes in life, you just have to savor the good days and leave the bad behind. Walk through life with a positive mentality and treat the bad days like small roadblocks that you can pass. By doing so, you'll hopefully have an overall good sense of yourself and more energy to tackle the next day.

Abigail Lindenmeier

These children have taught me that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. They give me the energy to tackle every day and motivate me to do better. I constantly appreciate their smiles, giggles, and hugs. Those small actions are what get me through my day and they prove that constant joy is what matters.