THE SACRED ART OF HEALING CHILDREN
                                   LESSONS LEARNED
                                                AT
                                     BEACHBROOK

                                                   by
                                      Joan Prideaux

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to my daughter, Barbara Prideaux, a special educator of high school students, who twice has been honored by her field for outstanding achievements, expertise, heart, soulful and successful work with and for her students. I thank her here for her tireless assistance with typing drafts of this manuscript, and for generously providing helpful suggestions and responses,  above all, for her belief in and respect for my work. I am deeply grateful too to psychologist and author, Dr Clark Moustakas, who through his friendship and well known professional accomplishments encouraged me to keep writing, and offered his generous spirit in behalf of my work - as well as his editorial suggestions regarding parts of my manuscript. He was often a light in times of darkness. Joyce Kolenbrander, first parent of a child at Beachbrook, and then dear friend, has also given  generously of herself. Of special value to me was Joyce's knowledge of my work from a perspective no one else could have. This was true of her husband, the Rev. Norman Kolenbrander, also a dear friend, who in his own way and in concert with Joyce, contributed his own valued ideas. As well, Eve Kiley not only contributed her gifts as I describe in ' A Brief History Of Beachbrook', but I have counted on her knowledge in so many ways, that of being an educator herself, as well as a writer. I am grateful indeed for her caring support as well as her insightful comments regarding this manuscript. And finally, my brother, psychologist, Dr Robert David Schenck's comment, "Joanie, I loved your manuscript! I was so touched, I cried," meant everything to me.

Dear Reader,

Please be advised, the events presented within these pages are true, while the identities of those presented, including names and descriptions, are disguised, to protect each person’s identity.

* * *

The children presented within these pages were chosen to illustrate our work with extreme behaviors. However, it should be noted that once children begin to internalize our work, crying and tantruming rarely occurs. Our classrooms are essentially lively learning, thriving, fun environments to be in!

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