When I first arrived in America, I had no idea that my life was about to change forever. On my very first day in Manhattan, I met the woman who would become my wife—but that’s another story. The very next day, I set off for what would become the most transformative experience of my career—Summit Camp, a sleepaway camp in Pennsylvania designed for children with special needs.
That summer of 2011 was nothing short of magical. As a counselor and adventure sports instructor, I worked alongside an incredibly passionate team, all dedicated to making sure these kids had the time of their lives. Every day, I was inspired by the campers’ resilience, their determination, and the pure joy they found in simply being themselves.
One lesson from that summer has stuck with me ever since—an analogy based on poker chips. These kids, like all of us, start with a certain number of chips. Every time we offer them a compliment, encourage them to try something new, or acknowledge their efforts, we’re adding to their stacks. The more poker chips they have, the braver and more confident they become. But if they experience negativity, self-doubt, or failure without support, they start to lose chips. Our role, as educators, mentors, and peers, is to keep building their stacks as high as possible.
I saw this firsthand one day at the climbing wall. A teenage camper wanted so badly to reach the top, but he lacked the upper body strength to pull himself up. Instead of letting him give up, I used my own body weight on the belay system to help winch him upward. Step by step, he climbed higher, and when he finally reached the top, his arms shot into the air in triumph. That moment was a direct result of every poker chip he had received—the belief that he could do it, even when the odds seemed against him.
That summer set me on the path I walk today. From being an instructional assistant to becoming a special education teacher, a PE teacher, and now having spent the past eight years as an adapted physical education (APE) teacher, I’ve never lost sight of the importance of building confidence in my students. Next month, I will stand as one of four finalists for the SHAPE America Adapted PE National Teacher of the Year award—a testament to the journey that began at that camp so many years ago.
If there’s one thing I can say to those considering this field, it’s this: do it. The rewards far outweigh the challenges. Sure, a little more money would be nice, but nothing compares to the look on a child’s face when they achieve what they once thought impossible. That’s the kind of moment that adds to our poker chip stacks, too.
