UGH!! I know the saying crap rolls down hill as I stand here mired in it up to my ankles, BUT if one more administrator says "we" can do it, I swear I won't be held accountable for my actions. I'm biting my tongue so hard it's starting to bleed. AAAAaaaaaaa....
Okay, I'm done kicking and screaming.
One of our students is having surgery and will be covered in plaster from waist to ankle with a bar to keep their legs in the proper position for 6 weeks and "they" don't see it as a problem letting this student come to school without extra assistance. We have seven special needs students, which doesn't sound like much until you take into consideration that their developmental age averages at the 1.5 - 2 year range. There is only so much three adults can do!
I've asked myself a couple of times this week why it is that I decided against a career field where I could sit at a nice quiet desk looking at the computer all day? (I'm not sure what gets done on the computer because I've never had that type of job, I assume everyone is playing solitaire or tetrus). Then I remember that it's because I would be comatose from boredom, I don't do well sitting still, which is why I work with children. Hey! it's good to know I chose the right job after all! Despite these occasionally crazy days I wouldn't change my job for anything.
I did have a couple of conversations this week too.
Conversation #1:
Talking to Little Miss:
She was talking about her mom and dad but not her brother so we (myself and the teacher) asked her what was he doing at home.
Her: (his name) poop!
She giggles and we start laughing because it was an unexpected answer.
Conversation #'s 2,3 and 4
The afternoon class is higher functioning and the children have more language. We were sitting at the lunch table having a snack when three different students decided they needed to talk to me right then. Talk about being overwhelmed. I followed their conversations as best as I could. All three conversations were going on at the same time.
Child 1 and 3 have a lot of language and good verbal skills, they were talking about their dad's. Child 2's language and verbal skills are not as good, she has words but also a lot of garbled speech. All I could understand went like this:
Her: Jabber.. jabber.. garbled... Dora, Blue Clues, Scooby Doo in the water...
Me: Scooby Doo and Dora were in the water?!
Her: very excited, eyes big. yeah, garbled..jabber..garbled..jabber.. YEAH!!
Me: (completely confused but didn't show it) WOW!!!
Her: I know!
I think I just missed the best punch line ever!
Little Miss did the sweetest thing this week. I was holding her with her chest at my shoulder. She reaches around my neck with her left hand to pat me on the back and give me a hug as she says,
Buttercup and gives me a kiss on my cheek. That made the week worth it. =]
TTFN,
Chris =]
Im sure you come home tired.. buttercup. kids are a lot of fun arent they? I only work with the naughty ones.. but I love them regardless... well most days..
ReplyDeletehave a great weekend
xo
vivian
As I spend my days sitting at my computer (not playing Solitaire or Tetris!), I often wish I had a job where I get to move around more. Sometimes I get up and walk a lap around the block my office sits on. I just need the fresh air - and NO PEOPLE! I love people, especially little kids, but they drive me nuts and wear me thin (Ha! I wish!) and I know a day interacting with a computer is safer for my sanity.
ReplyDeleteYou are a much better with kids and adults than you give yourself credit for.
DeleteMy first job was teaching Resource in a very rural area. I spent lots of my prep period times in my friends Special Day class. She was an amazing teacher - and how she managed it, well - she was a miracle worker. Blessings to you - you are a gift to your kids. (And, you're funny - it's fun to read your posts)!
ReplyDeleteThank You! As a Resource Teacher you do a lot too!!
Deletewe see mainstreaming of special students more and more. I agree they should be able to have "normal" lives. But things like this give me pause because there will be more care giving than teaching right now. It is a head scratcher for sure.
ReplyDeleteIt's frustrating when things come down from "administration" when they don't even know what it means to have to work under those conditions. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteIt is frustrating especially when I to do the best job possible and my hands are tied.
DeleteNo matter how much I complain I wouldn't do anything else. I feel very lucky that I have a job I love.
ReplyDelete