A Therapist During Teacher Appreciation Week

I work in a publicly funded private school embedded within a residential treatment facility. I am a music therapist, but I am employed by the school at this treatment facility, so for all intents and purposes, I am often incorrectly classified as a teacher rather than as a therapist. During Therapist Appreciation week, I am ignored. During Teacher Appreciation week, I am often grudgingly included. Comments happen like "Well, we know that you are not a teacher, but we're including you anyway." Gee.

This week has been full of food to begin with - I cannot eat things that are prepared or washed in the local water because of how it is softened, so I can't partake. I am not upset about that because I would prefer to not get sick for months on end because of what my body does when I try to digest the softening chemicals, but it is a bit disappointing when food is the only focus of our celebration. I would love a card or a magnet or something other than food, but that's just me. The big gift this year is an Autism Speaks themed t-shirt. I opted out of getting one. It is a personal principle, but it will not be taken that way around work. That's a topic for another day.

As someone who has had to explain their profession for their entire career, I am used to having to constantly educate others about what I do. Even with constant education practices, the admissions staff refer to my room as "this is where the music teacher works." Nope.

Do you know a great way to appreciate me? Refer to me as the music therapist. That's it. That's all. That would show a level of appreciation that has never happened at work before.

You can keep your donuts and coffee. You can keep your Taco Tuesday and propaganda-promoting t-shirts. Use my name, and use my title. There you go. That's how you can appreciate me and my role at work.

(It would also be nice to be included in the therapist appreciation week instead of the teacher appreciation week, but baby steps!)