I Am Going to Miss My Autism Teacher! - A Middle Schooler's Ode to His Cherished Autism Teacher
Luis's middle school years were transformative, and at the heart of this transformation was Mr. Cupps, an educator who went beyond the traditional role of a teacher. When the news breaks that Mr. Cupps is leaving the school, Luis is hit with a tidal wave of emotions, ranging from sadness to nostalgia.
Mr. Cupps was more than just a teacher to Luis; he was a mentor, a guide, and a friend. With a gentle approach, he had a knack for understanding Luis's unique needs and challenges, especially given Luis's autism. Their bond was forged through countless classroom lessons, one-on-one sessions, and moments of quiet understanding. Mr. Cupps had a way of making learning accessible and enjoyable for Luis, turning potential challenges into opportunities for growth.
The story delves into specific memories Luis shared with Mr. Cupps: from the times Mr. Cupps would use innovative teaching methods to make a lesson stick, to the moments when he'd offer a listening ear during Luis's tougher days. These memories paint a vivid picture of a teacher who genuinely cared and a student whose life was profoundly impacted by this care.
As Luis grapples with the reality of Mr. Cupps's departure, he embarks on a journey of reflection. The book beautifully captures his internal monologue, where he reminisces about the past and contemplates the future. Luis wrestles with questions about change, growth, and the transient nature of relationships.
"I Am Going to Miss My Autism Teacher!" is not just a tribute to Mr. Cupps but also an exploration of the deep emotional connections that can form between a student and a teacher. Through Luis's eyes, readers are reminded of the lasting impact educators can have on their students and the indelible marks they leave behind.
Luis Burgado is a 13-year-old multi-time author who comes from a family of authors. His mother, Dali Burgado, wrote the motivational book Defeat It! in 2017. Luis' older sister, Christine M. Burgado, wrote and illustrated, The Princess and The Dragon at age 6, making her the youngest author in the history of Virginia, until their younger brother Angel A. Burgado claimed that title at age 3 in 2020 with his first book: My Angel Loves to Learn: Lesson 1: Fruits and Vegetables and other things I like.Luis has always been a creative. As a toddler he would draw logos of cars and movie production companies. He started developing his own characters at age 10, and he taught himself Photoshop and started creating movie posters. Soon after, he would create a series of 10 books, which were lost shortly after creating them, due to a computer crash. Luis has since worked hard to create new books starting with The Disappearing Moon and now his fourth book, I Am Going to Miss My Autism Teacher! We are proud to see what other literary creations he has in-store for the world. Now Luis Alexander Burgado, continues the tradition of his first book, The Disappearing Moon, with I Am Going to Miss My Autism Teacher! The book came to life when, Luis found out that one of his favorite middle school teachers would be leaving to pursue a new path. Mr. Cupps was always patient and understanding with Luis, as were his elementary school teachers before him. But middle school helped him feel a stronger bond to Mr. Cupps. So, Luis decided to dedicate a book to him in appreciation for all that he has done. Luis felt with a worldwide pandemic and a shutting down of local schools he really didn't get a chance to spend time with his friends or favorite teacher, which for him made the departure a little harder. Luis said: "I feel sad because I will miss him. I liked him because he is kind, he is so nice, and he is thoughtful. But I hope he is happy, and I want to say Good Luck Mr. Cupps."
