Shaky and Quiet Before Lunch

Case overview

Erin Gardner notices Mateo Santos before the lunch line does. He has been talking through the morning, but now he is staring at his desk, rubbing his hands together, and asking whether he can sit down. A classroom helper points out that Mateo barely touched his usual snack. Erin knows a student-specific school plan exists, but she also knows it is not hers to interpret from memory or explain to the class. Her job is smaller and more important: stay with Mateo, notice when the change began, tell the authorized school contact what she saw, and use the plan the school has on file. The case begins with a common before-lunch change and asks how a teacher can make a safe, private handoff instead of treating a student’s symptoms as a puzzle to solve alone.