Sharday

Sharday is one of my brightest and most loving students, but she is often unable to express this to her teachers because she is deaf. It is required by law for students like Sharday to have an interpreter. However, Sharday's interpreter has not come this week. She is pretty good at reading lips so I try to speak slowly, and provide written explanations for her. This is not enough - her demeanor is changing drastically before my eyes. She no longer comes running into my room with a big smile on her face. Now she enters with her head down and shoulders slouched. I have called the Special Education office several times but they have not provided her with a new interpreter.Fortunately for our class, we also have Tashayla. Tashayla is a very spunky and intelligent girl, and has really taken to Sharday. While I'm working with other students or conducting a lesson, Tashayla takes time out of her own work to make sure that Sharday understands what is going on. Tashyla does not know sign language, but she makes painstaking efforts to provide Sharday with information.Sharday was so frustrated and sad today that she didn't feel like she could even face the lunchroom, so I busted out my snacks and the three of us ate in my room. I just want to cry for her, hug her, and tell her that everything is going to be ok, but I know that I need to be her rock and advocate and make sure that everything will be ok. I'm just not sure where to go next...