A Little Slice of Normal

A day in the life of a special education teacher, photo journalist style! I really should have my students take these, since their perspective is much more interesting than mine, but here is the start of something I hope to continue as the year progresses. 

Emotions were high today, as we began to process as a school, community, and nation what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary. First off, I must compliment my staff. They were so strong, supportive, and loving (as usual) as we faced the many needs of our student and parent population. I am so grateful to work with such an outstanding group of educators. With that, many of my kiddos on the spectrum struggled with regulating their emotions today so I did a lot of reassuring, holding hands, rubbing backs, and giving breaks. In between all the hubbub of calming voices and patient smiles, I was able to see some of my regular groups and have a little fun. These were well needed moments of normalcy for my students, my assistants, and me.

One of my girls finished part of our reading program and did so well, we decided she deserved a nail painting party. Here we are, glamming out!

Math group fun! While one student serenaded us with "Gangnam Style," we built numbers using our base ten blocks. 

One of my math group girls adoring me and begging me for homework! 

Countdown to Shadow Day! The kids are so excited to "buy" gifts for their parents.  I love how hard they work and how much they care for others.

The "Top Secret" problem that one of my second graders made was revealed to the class. Tricky tricky! I love that he's using algebra and doesn't even know it! Can you solve this without lifting the flap?

 Bonus: Here are two gem conversations I had with one of my favorite students. I am always a little shocked at what he says, but love the perspective and humor he brings to my day. I warn you now, he has no filter.

Second Grader (after returning from boys' bathroom): I peed on myself!
Me: No, I think that's just water.
SG: No, it's pee! When I was going, it was sticking straight up and pee just went everywhere! I have never had that happen to me! It was these jeans- they just made it stick up! I couldn't control it!
Me (trying not to laugh): Okay, no problem. We should probably go clean your jacket. Did it get anywhere else?
SG: On my shoes, and the wall. It just splashed everywhere!
Me (slowly giving him the once over): I... I think you have some on your forehead...
SG: Oh, that must be why my hair is wet. I told you, it was just sticking straight up!

Not too long after, as we are headed to lunch and we pass a sixth grade gal with purple hair:

SG: I really can't stand being around her.
Me: Who? Her (pointing to the girl with purple hair)?
SG: YES! I just can't stand looking at the color of her hair- it is so ugly!
Me: You don't like the purple?
SG: No, doesn't she know how dumb she looks?!
Me: I guess not. But you don't need to tell her. We keep things like that to ourselves.
SG: Well someone should tell her. It really is ugly.

I love my job.

The Spirit of Giving

I took a break from this blog, but today I just had to come back so I could share the overwhelming generosity of others. I was so overjoyed this morning that I was in tears. I cannot express fully how amazing it is to have the chance to work with such incredible people and organizations.

To begin, this last Sunday, our counselor posted a Donors Choose project to their website (DonorsChoose.org) that will benefit several of my students. The project was asking for donations to purchase noise canceling headphones and iPods to use with them, as well as pod chairs, which our PTA is donating to us. With almost $400 needed to fund the project, I was worried we would struggle to raise the money we would need. Through several emails, on many people's part, we were able to raise all the money by late Wednesday evening! Talk about fantastic! As I read the list of people who donated, I was floored and also impressed at the kindess of the people who are in my life, be it family, friends (both old and new), coworkers, or friends of friends who just believe in education. How lucky are we? But this was only the beginning.

After we raised our money, I received a few emails from people who had heard about our project, saying to keep them in mind in the future because they believe in education and would rather donate to a cause and person they can see the benefit in over some unknown organization... Well okay then! Why yes, I believe I will save your email address, thank you very much!

But the icing on the cake came last night, as I was lounging on the couch. During a commercial break, I noticed I had a text message. While I didn't at first recognize the number, I was curious to know who would be texting me at this hour on a Friday night. I was surprised to see it was another special education teacher in the district and she was asking me if I would be interested in participating in the Shadow Project. Now, if you don't know anything about the project, you should check it out. On their web page, this is their description of their organization:

"The Shadow Project partners with special education teachers to help close the achievement gap for students with complex learning challenges. Just as wheelchair ramps foster independence for persons with physical disabilities, The Shadow Project helps make learning accessible for boys and girls whose 'invisible' disabilities include dyslexia, ADHD, autism and communications disorders. We serve 28 Portland-area schools, providing life-changing classroom enrichment that helps struggling students reach goals and turn "I can't" into "I can!" "

One of the many ways they do this is by funding incentive boxes and positive behavior support systems. They also do trainings with the SPED teachers and have support groups to promote positive collaboration with teachers with similar students. (!!!) I, of course, am beyond elated to have this opportunity! I have heard great things about the Shadow Project and have been trying to get into it since I started at my current school, five years ago. So, of course, I immediately replied that I would love to and my friend said she would have someone from the organization contact me.

Not surprisingly, this morning, as soon as I finished brunch, I got the call from one of the program directors. She explained that they were in a rush to find a school in my district to receive the grant, since apparently no one had applied this year. When the very nice director lady asked my friend who she thought would be a good school to receive their support, my friend directed her to me. The director said with such kind things being said about my school and myself, she was eager to talk with me. So we chatted about my kids and she interviewed me, as is part of the typical application process, and said she was so happy to support a school that was working so diligently with the population we have to close the achievement gap and foster a positive community. Once I complete the application, all I have to do is go pick out my donated prizes and attend some trainings with some other outstanding SPED teachers and we are set up! HOW CRAZY IS THAT?!

I am not sure what my students and I have done to deserve such unconditional love and support from all of these generous people and groups, but I am beyond thankful. I am so happy, my heart is full. Finally, my students are getting the very best. And I still want to give them more.

BRING IT 20-12!

My friend recently posted her 100 Things To Do In 2012 and it inspired me to create my own "To Do" list for this upcoming year. Like her, I love fresh starts and enjoy making goals to work on throughout the year. So, with that, here are my goals/resolutions. And, as my friend did, I, too, will organize my list by color (gotta love colors!). We'll start with goals for school, professional goals, home, health and fitness, fun, and personal goals.

To Do List- 2012 Version

1. Keep my desk organized... organized stacks are okay.
2. Limit the amount of sticky notes I use as reminders on my computer. (a.k.a. save trees)
3. Communicate better and before things need to change/happen/completely fall apart.
4. Set up my other classroom to be math oriented (the free door incident has been fixed and all is back to normal).
5. Help pump my kids up so they rock it on the state tests.
6. Finish my paperwork on time. Hell, finish paperwork in general.
7. Maintain my positive relationships with my kids and their families.
8. Dress to impress at least once a week. Oh, and save jeans for Friday only. 
9. Be nice to the people who irritate me... or at least wait until they leave to do the eye roll.
10. Have patience- with my kids, curriculum, my teaching, my coworkers, a new principal, and the district as a whole. I had this as my overall resolution a few years ago and I still try to focus on it. 
11. Complete loan forgiveness packet and turn in ASAP.
12. Renew teaching license before they tell me I can't teach anymore.
13. Be more specific in my sped leadership meetings- I know it well, they don't... how can I help everyone see it as I do?
14. Look into getting ESOL endorsement.
15. Brush up on my Spanish and start using it with families. 
16. Seriously look at teaching abroad programs, if not for 2012, then 2013.
17. Be a positive and influential voice at the district level for my school and sped. (This one could be tricky)
18. Review long term goals- when do I want to get my PhD? What do I want to do with it? How can I better my profession as a whole?
19. Research current topics and sound smarter than I am to people I want to impress. 
20. Network/research with other districts and states to revise current programs in my school/district.
21. Finish organizing the hub's "office."
22. Clear out sticks/brush/shrubbery from back yard.
23. Cut down trees in front yard (only because they hang over the power lines and have roots wrapped around our sewage pipes...)
24. Build a dog run/house for the pup.
25. Get one cat a "lion cut."
26. Finish trim in bedroom/kitchen.
27. Finish guest bedroom.
28. Decorate more than 2 days before a holiday. 
29. Plant garden/flowers in timely manner and actually maintain.
30. Clean/laundry weekly; scrub and scour deeply once a month.
31. Go to the gym 3 times a week.
32. Do pilates at least 2 times a week.
33. Work on being toned and sculpted- no more skinny-gettoflabulousness.
34. Get and maintain a 4-6 pack by and through the summer.
35. Run at least two 5Ks- spring and fall?
36. Cut down sugar intake; increase fruits, veggies, and protein intake. 
37. Brush with electric toothbrush regularly. 
38. Floss more than the week before I go to the dentist (oh, like I am the only one who does this...)
39. Wash face before bed and invest in anti-aging cream. (a.k.a. stave off wrinkles for a few more years)
40. Indulge in a massage, hair cut, spa day every few months.
41. Set a routine for sleeping, eating, and working out- stick to it!
42. Invest in good running shoes.
43. Be flexible- loosen my calves, hamstrings, and shoulders to improve posture and mobility.
44. Invest in a couple personal training sessions and not cry on the floor of the racquetball court when they kick my ass so hard I can't get up (yep, this happened).
45. Look into pilates training to be an instructor. 
46. Go someplace fun once a month- hike, beach, shopping trip, etc.
47. Sketch in my sketchbook once a week.
48. Read a book a month- for pleasure.
49. Organize my photos and get some framed. 
50. Work on tattoo design and research artists.
51. Type my manifesto on my type writer.
52. Learn how to apply make-up.
53. Expand music tastes.
54. Wear nail polish more and stop biting nails.
55. Revel in the down/quiet time.
56. Focus on what makes me happy and do it (within reason).
57. Be less in my head and engage more. 
58. Enjoy time with friends and family- don't rush to the next thing.
59. Don't overplan everything- go with the flow and live in the moment.
60. Show and/or tell the people in my life how much I care for them and why I love them.

Okay, so I didn't quite make it to 100, but I think I did pretty good. Now, what are your goals/resolutions?

Giving Thanks

Tis the season of giving and giving thanks and I am fortunate to have the love and support of so many. I am constantly reminded of all that I have and am thankful for even the smallest things in my life, especially as of late.

These last few weeks have been extraordinarily tough for many of the families in our community.

To begin, a nearby school recently lost one of their teachers in a tragic car accident. She was a mother, wife, and an inspiration to those she worked with and taught. It has been incredible to see so many members of local schools and organizations step up to support her son and husband, as well as the students and staff she worked with. Her passing reminds me of the fragility of life and that we must be thankful for everyday.

Another of our families also experienced a loss. One of the families I work closely with recently lost their father. Though he was not personally involved with the school, the impact of his loss on his children and their friends has been felt heavily. It has been an eye-opening experience for me, personally, as I work with our staff and their family to provide support in a culturally appropriate way. In the last week, I have learned more about Mexican celebrations of life than I thought possible. It makes me rethink my own arrangements and also makes me realize the importance of family and the support they provide through all occasions.

Outside of the loss our community has felt, I have become increasingly aware of the disparity many of the families we work with experience. Our school is considered a low-income school, with many of our families taking advantage of free-and-reduced breakfast and lunch. Aside from this, I have noticed a stark increase in the number of families requesting assistance from our school and local support agencies during this holiday season. I have heard more stories from parents of not being able to provide essentials for their children this last month than I have in my entire teaching career. It honestly breaks my heart.

Between myself, our amazing counselor, incredible staff, and super supportive PTA, we have been able to pull together food baskets for many families, as well as connecting numerous others with support services and local churches who provide food and clothing during the holidays. I am so honored to work with the staff I do when we can come together to support more families than we originally anticipated. I am also thankful that I have been able to get out in the community to work personally with a couple of the agencies our families access. It has been overwhelmingly positive and inspiring.

So with that, I encourage all of you, my friends and family, to support your community in any way you can. You never know what a donation, monetarily or otherwise, will provide for a family in need.

Thank you all for your continued support and enjoy this holiday season. Take a moment to remind yourself of what you are thankful for.

The Free Door

I must apologize in advance- this story is not about my students or Special Olympics, but a rather minor stressor at work turning into... well.... you'll see. Enjoy.

So, to begin, my classroom is the first in a bank of three portable classrooms (P1). Mine and the one next to it (P2) are the same type of portable and the third in the row (P3) is different in many ways. (A slight map, sorry about formatting).

          _________ _________ _________
         |                  |                   |                 |
         |      P 1        |       P 2        |      P 3       |
         |_________|_________|_________|

As best we can guess, they were placed at my school almost 30 years ago. Funny side story, my second year in P1, we discovered half the room was sinking into the ground due to rotting wood supports. We had to vacate and move more than half our materials into P3 for four weeks. It was less than ideal but we survived and still laugh about the "slope" today.

Flash forward to two summers ago- with the neighboring teacher out of P2, we asked for a door between the two portables so we could expand and have an office area and small corner for a group. The door went in with no problems and all was right in our "portable" world.

Flash forward to the end of last school year- we spoke with our principal and were allowed to expand fully into P2 so we could have a room for math instruction and reading instruction. At the same time, we also learned that our speech/language pathologist (SLP), who works with many of my students, would be moving into P3, along with our Title 1 staff who occupied the room. The SLP, upon learning of her move, requested a door between P2 and P3 to ease the access to our shared special ed secretary and myself.

Flash forward to the beginning of this year- I return over the summer, bugging my principal incessantly about the arrival of the door so I can plan my room accordingly. One excuse after another (on part of the district, not my principal) leads us to learn- surprise! surprise! -there is no money to purchase a door. Okay, whatevs. So we have to walk around to talk to each other. Not a big deal.

But it was. All drama aside, our SLP was set on getting a door and worked with our local Habitat for Humanity (and multiple other organizations) to acquire a door, free of charge. She was successful and the door had only to be delivered to our facilities department for them to start the work. Delivered it was, last week, with install to start yesterday. So they show up, bright and early- two vans, two workers, and lots of power tools.

Flash forward to lunch time- I walk into my office, which is in the portable they are working on, not knowing what to expect. I look at the two men eating lunch and then to the hole in the wall and jokingly say, "You should leave it like that. It looks great." To which the head guy says, stone-faced, "Yeah, that's what's gonna happen."

Uhhhh. Hmmm. Okay.

He elaborates, explaining that P3 is placed so the roof drains between the two portables. Thirty-some years later and the walls of P2 are a little squishy, for lack of a better word. Hahahaha, just kidding, a better word would be dry-rot with a dash of mold. AWESOME. I can only imagine what this means for the one-and-a-half-day "project" to install a "free" door.

Flash forward to the end of today- to summarize my giggly (because what else can I do?) frustration, I have pictures and a few catch phrases that were bounced around by the (at least) ten workers who were pounding around on the roof, outside walls, inside walls, and floors of our portables.

• "dry rot under the back corner" and "could have collapsed at any time" (oh, grrreeaaatttt)
•  "we're running mold samples to see if any are lethal" and "all human safe" (phew!)
• "at least 7-10 more days" and "must replace most of the wall"
• "something, something, something.... $3,000.... something, something" and, my personal favorite of the day, "most expensive "free" door I've ever installed"

The current state of the wall with the "free" door, which, by the way, is the only thing completely installed. Behind the board on the left is all extensive dry-rot and some holes to the outside.

My consollation: They sectioned off half the room with a huge sheet of plastic so I can use my office while they are working. So quiet and work friendly!!!

Level 10

October is off and running; the schedule tweaks are finally settling down, the work load is back to its normal demand, and any and all "honeymoons" are over. The up side of October has been outside of school, though. I've made it a personal goal this year to be happy and healthy by surrounding myself with positive people and activities. Along with diving into a pilates class with some of my fabulous coworkers, I have reconnected with one of my favorite organizations, Special Olympics.

About five years ago, my former roommate and I got into the "scene" by being partners on the local bocce team. It was easily the most enjoyable lawn bowling I had ever done. I loved my athlete, E, and we even got a gold medal at state (based on her talent more than mine)! After playing bocce for a few years, a different friend and I decided to expand to bowling in the fall. As much as we loved the people, we found indoor bowling just wasn't our sport (bowling on grass is way more entertaining, trust me). Unfortunately, that spring I chose to quit bocce so I could help with the local Relay for Life event. Without a fall sport I enjoyed and the availability in the spring, I was feeling disconnected and without that little extra sunshine in my life. Until this year.

I finally took the initiative to contact the local Special Olympics group and inquire about my favorite sport- swimming. After months of no reply, I almost gave up hope until the coach for the county's swim team contacted me saying she would love to have my support. Sadly, their season was halfway over when I started practicing with them so there weren't any athletes for me to pair with. Come to find out after a couple practices, though, one of the coaches is pregnant and due soon so she passed on her three athletes to me. Today was my first day in the pool with them and I could do nothing but laugh and try not to drown.

My three swimmers are "intermediate," meaning that they will be independently swimming 25 meter races of either backstroke or freestyle at regionals in a couple weeks. Accordingly, our practice today was "intense," or so one of the parents told me when we finished. My swimmers are a fifth, eighth, and ninth grader with varying cognitive impairments and physical abilities who all think swimming is the cat's pajamas.

The eighth grade boy is by far the fastest and was eager to show off for me. Anything short of perfection, though, was blamed on some sort of physical malady, such as his "three broken toes that had been worn down to the bone while walking at the beach yesterday." But don't worry, they grew back spontaneously by the time I went to check them out. He was also the most sarcastic, which always tickles me pink. Every time we practiced our starts, I would say "take your mark, get set, GO" and he would quickly yell, "GO WHERE?!" before diving into the water giggling. By the end of practice, despite being worn down and dog paddling, we were all squealing with laughter as he splashed off.

To top the evening off, as all the athletes were displaying their diving board prowess, I was approached by two of the "advanced" swimmers. They sauntered up and laid down a challenge to me. "You should go after him," one boy said, pointing to the guy with the more swaggertastic grin. Ohhh no, I'd seen him in action. I was no fool. I muttered some excuse about being too awesome, to which they laughed, and then proceeded to prove me wrong. We all watched with mouths agape as he did a perfect back flip into the pool... with barely any splash. The smirk on his face as he popped up was awesome, if not intimidating. Needless to say, these little feet will not be touching that board while their challenge stands.

In the end, LEVEL 10 HAPPINESS ACHIEVED.

Grossin' Me Out

There is nothing quite as awesome as sharing "war stories" with a new teacher; the look of shock and horror makes all the bad things in the day fade away. My right-hand gal, Benny, and I decided to regale my student teacher with tales of kids who have wandered through our doors/lives. Part of this was sharing our grossest and most humiliating stories.

Head and Shoulders
A couple years ago, we had a fifth grade boy move into our school in the spring. The teacher came to me at the end of the boy's first day and said, "Uh, I think this kid is yours." Not surprising, we often get move-ins who are low and need support. I inquire why he thinks this and I get this story:

"So, I was standing at the front of the room when I notice [new kid] brushing his hand over his hair while leaning over his desk. When I walk closer, I notice he has a collection of dandruff going on his desk. He eventually stops brushing his hair and meticulously sweeps the dander into a white line... like cocaine. I'm intrigued. He spends some time doing this and then, finally, he leans forward and... and... licks/snorts it up. I almost gagged right there!"

Of course I knew immediately after this story that this kid was mine. How could he not be? And I must clarify, I say "licked/snorted" because I honestly can't remember which he did the first time... yes, first time. Benny and I observed him doing this multiple times, in both forms of... consumption? And it was gross all the ways.

Keep You Hands Where I Can See Them!
When I was doing a semester abroad in college, I was desperately looking for a summer job where I could work with kids. I applied to tons of summer camps and pools (former lifeguard). I eventually found a summer camp for kids with developmental disabilities and I immediately fell in love with their values and activities. I applied then interviewed the week after I returned, getting the job that day. I was elated but scared out of my mind. I had only ever had experience with this population at the pool I worked at, and even that was severely limited.

So, the first week of camp, my director decides to give me an "easy" camper- a boy, age 13, who is moderately cognitively delayed, as well as visually and orthopedically impaired (put simply, blind in his left eye with one leg shorter than the other). He was able to move around using a typical medical-grade wheel chair, scooting using his feet, clapping and humming joyfully all the while- a happier child I have never known.

I honestly thought the week would be cake... until we went to the park the second day and he decided he needed to use the restroom. As part of my counselor inservice, I was trained in bathroom and changing procedures but had never used them with this kiddo without a male staff member. Of course, for some reason on this hot, muggy, and sweaty day, I could find no male staff member to support me so my boss gave me the go ahead to assist my kiddo while she stood in the corner.

I gave myself a semi-private pep talk as we walked toward the restroom. "Okay, self, you can do this."

I wheeled him into the cement sauna, already dripping sweat and slapping on my oversized blue gloves. As I positioned him next to the toilet, he giggled and let one rip. A juicy fart, if ever I have heard one. I must not cringe... I hinged him to standing, shimmied down his pants, and positioned him over the toilet. I could hear my boss giggling, as she watched. We stepped out to give him privacy (and to enjoy his humming/clapping less the fragrance).

He called to us when he was done and my boss and I slinked in. Him and I made eye contact and the smirk on his face paired with the maniacal pace of his clapping and humming told me this ain't gonna be good. I hinged him off the toilet and pivoted him so he could hold the railing while I cleaned his bottom. Sparing all details, let's just say, poop is poop; it smells, it's messy, and nobody really wants to touch it...

Except him.

By the time I knew what was happening, it was too late. The giggles had grown to shrieks of euphoria. He was rocking like a hippy at Woodstock, flapping his left hand around behind him, smacking his thigh, hitting his bottom, and... uh... huh. Well, simply put, there may have been an incident involving his hand, his poop, and MY face. 'Nuff said.

I shrieked (from horror and disgust), he shrieked (from pure joy and hilarity), and my boss shrieked (because she knew what could happen but wasn't really expecting it to happen).

Fear not, though, this is not the last poop-related experience I have had. None, however, are as deliciously horrifying as this one.