For many years I’ve taught multiple grades. As a special education teacher, that’s pretty typical around here. I love it because it keeps me busy, and I get to know many kids. The down side of that is that I am very busy, and don’t get as much time with students as I want, or […]
Teachers work all hours of the day, every day. It’s just something we do. It’s something we’re used to. We don’t even think about it anymore. Let me ask you this: Why? Why are we used to this? Also, when did this become the norm, and how did we miss this conversion? My co-teacher and […]
Here I sit, finally prepping for the start of the new school year. After this past year, and with new developments, and a smidge of self-pity, I already want the year to start so it can be over so next summer can arrive. I’ve done nothing school-related for the last month because I needed a break. […]
Teacher appreciation week isn’t about the gifts, kind words, or treats. It’s about the boy who wrote an essay and stated that I’m one of the best teachers in the world, who’s helping him to be a handsome man, and that if it weren’t for me (and his homeroom teacher) he wouldn’t be writing that […]
A resource room is a separate, remedial classroom in a school where students with educational disabilities, such as specific learning disabilities, are given direct, specialized instruction and academic remediation and assistance with homework and related assignments as individuals or in groups. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resource_room) According to Wikipedia, a resource room is an asset to education. So why have they […]
I want to begin this post by saying I have nothing against paraprofessionals (teacher assistants, to the layman). Many of my dearest friends are paras, and some of the best times I’ve had have been with these awesome women. They do as much work for the students as teachers do, and are paid less than half […]
My most-autistic student, “Steve,” had a breakthrough yesterday. We were in the sensory room and he asked to play Hide and Seek. He’s never asked that before, nor does he ever ask to play with us. Great! We played for about 5 minutes before getting back to work. Later that day while out at recess, […]
Wow. What a morning. Yes, I know it’s only 10:30, but it’s already been that kind of morning. The classroom teacher, my GenEd co-teacher, is out today so I spent part of the morning getting her stuff set up. No biggie. I got her day together, I got my day together, I got my one […]
I am four weeks back into the school year and already looking forward to Christmas break. I haven’t felt this overwhelmed by a school year in a very long time. It’s disconcerting that after almost 20 years of teaching SpEd, I can get this rattled. I’ve actually been working on this post for weeks. In […]
