MA: Teaching by example, learning from life
By Sally Rubin, Correspondent
Tue Jun 19, 2007, 07:13 PM EDT

WATERTOWN, MA - For the staff and students at Watertown Middle School, it’s not an unusual sight to see Dallas, a golden lab, walking through the hallways or into a classroom, or even visiting people in the school office.

As a helper dog for disabled teacher Chris Cotreau, Dallas is a very popular instructional aid among students, parents and staff. Both Chris and Dallas work together in the special education classroom.

Growing up in Arlington, Cotreau graduated from Arlington High in 1984. He went on to Fitchburg State, where he graduated in 1992 with a double major in industrial technology and technology education.  Unable to find a job as a high school “shop” teacher, he took a job at the Somerville Community School. In the mornings, he was an assistant teacher for kindergarteners. In the afternoons, he co-ran an after-school program which he eventually conducted by himself.

His face lights up when he talks about it.  “Kindergarten is a fun age,” Cotreau said. “It’s all about fun and snacks, and the alphabet and group hugs.”

On July 11, 1993, Cotreau broke his neck while diving into the shallow end of a pool. He said that he drowned, but friends quickly rescued him and were able to bring him back to life.  Cotreau woke up in a hospital, paralyzed from the neck down. Six weeks went by without knowing if he would ever move again.

He had surgery on his third vertebra which was pressing on his spinal cord. Five days later, he had a very slight movement in his legs. This was when he knew that he had a chance for his condition to improve. Cotreau remained in the hospital for 16 weeks, but knew it was up to him how much progress he’d make.

Staying up all night in his hospital bed, Cotreau practicing very small movements, even working just to keep his arm from sliding off his hip. He would not accept anything less than returning to his former life.  Cotreau was able to pull himself to a standing position, shave and feed himself once he left the hospital. His attitude always remained positive with the intent to lead a normal life.

Cotreau moved in with his parents temporarily, but would not let them put in any adaptable equipment to help him.  “That wasn’t going to happen,” he said.  He went to physical therapy, occupational therapy and pool therapy.  “It’s all about taking baby steps,” Cotreau said. “Once I re-learned to do something, I wouldn’t let anyone help me with that again.”

The positive outlook and determination worked. Cotreau originally wheeled into therapy, but eventually walked out.

Cotreau started graduate school at Lesley College in 1996 to obtain a master’s of education degree, and Mass Rehab paid for college to help get him back to work. He went to therapy during the day, and graduate school at night. Cotreau said he tried not to use a wheelchair, and chose to use crutches instead, even though this was far more difficult for him.

One of the people who had the strongest influence on Cotreau was Maureen O’Reilly, who set up tutoring for students at Lesley College, and helped Cotreau as well.  “She’s the most positive person I’ve ever met,” he said. “There was never a ‘no, this can’t be done.’”  He credits O’Reilly for being a positive force in his life, and talking him into using his wheelchair again.   He quotes her as saying, “You spent three years of your life trying to get out of the chair. Think of the chair as a tool to help you.”

Cotreau drove out of graduate school with his degree, inside a handicapped-accessible van.

After graduate school, Cotreau substituted at the Lowell School in Watertown, and next door in Belmont. He was offered a job tutoring children unable to attend school in Watertown for various reasons, and also tutored students in math at the Watertown Middle School.

This task soon merged into his current job, as an instructional aide in a special needs class at the Middle School. When asked about taking on a full-time teaching job, which he was offered, but turned down, Cotreau has a simple answer.  “I’m good at what I do,” he said. “I like the one-on-one. I’ve found a career I love.”

Others seem to think he was meant for this career, as well.   Antonia Killiany, one of Cotreau’s students, said of him, “He’s really, really funny. He helps me with work and that helps me learn.”  Antonia’s father, Michael Killiany, agrees.  “Chris has a combination of personality and sense of humor that has broken through to my daughter, and he connects with her at her level,” he said. “It’s meant a lot to her success.”

Judith Wheaton, an administration assistant at the middle school, said Cotreau is a wonder with the students. She looked back to a time when he encouraged a student to attend summer school, and even picked him up and drove him there when he didn’t want to go.

“He really understands them,” she said. “He makes sure that they understand what he’s trying to teach, and he goes that extra mile … that’s really going above and beyond.”

Cotreau admitted that his accident has made him a little more cynical. But in terms of his teaching, he’s learned tremendous patience, which really helps with his students.  “I don’t accept, ‘I can’t do it,” he said. “I say they must try. They can get it wrong, but they must try.”

Student Keith MacDonald said he sees his teacher as normal.  “He helps me out with a lot of work,” he said. “He inspires me.”

Cotreau uses his wheelchair only occasionally now. He has a specially made “chariot” that works like a wheelchair, only he stands up to operate it. He prefers this vehicle to the wheelchair, and still uses his crutches quite often.

On April 13, 2003, Cotreau received his helper dog, Dallas, from Paws with a Cause, an organization in Chicago.  “Dallas throws a lot of the attention away from me,” he said.

Dallas helps Cotreau by fetching food, crutches, anything Cotreau drops: the phone; things out of the closet; the remote control, etc. Chris gives back to this organization by making yearly donations, and creates and sells calendars with pictures of Dallas, and raffles off things such as Red Sox and Yankees tickets. His friends help him raise money, and to date, he has raised thousands of dollars for Paws with a Cause.  Nowadays, Cotreau wants people to like him for who he is now, not because of his past.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, Cotreau can be found two days a week at “Kids in Common,” an after-school program at the Lowell School for children in grades K-5. He teaches woodworking mostly to children in kindergarten and first grade.

“This is my favorite job,” Cotreau said with a huge grin. “It’s just pure fun.”

Under his guidance, the children make jewelry boxes, shelves, little tables, wooden letters that spell their names, and learn to work cut out shapes and use carpenter’s tools.  “The kids get a chance to do something they might never do,” he said. “It develops their creativity, enhances their self-esteem, and improves their behavior.”

When he’s not teaching, Cotreau says he’s just a regular guy who attends Red Sox games, rents movies, collects comic books, goes to concerts, enjoys woodworking, gets together with family and friends, and spends a lot of time with his best friend, Dallas.

Cotreau even taught his dog a trick or two. “Dallas, look cute,” he said.  Dallas returns the command with a big smile; a smile that is always affectionately just for Cotreau.

Source: http://www.wickedlocal.com/watertown/homepage/x398631714