I was scared to post this... but um... whatevs

So this may be one of those posts where as you read, you might say, "Is she talking about me?" ... especially if we know one another "IRL."   I'm going to say things in this post.  Some may make you blush.   Some things may make you question.   All should probably make you reflect.  Yea.   That's the only "r" word I can stand right about now.

When I was pregnant with my children I made up this rule.   The rule of three.   The rule basically goes like this - if I was craving something more than three times in a day or for three days in a row ... it meant I could have whatever it was I was craving.    This is complete crap logic - but it was my rule.  So when pregnant with Elliot, it was Cherry Slushie and really cherry anything.   With Nora... it was meat... steak, specifically or venison.    

I've given birth to two living children.   But the reality is... I have many more.   I've been teaching for 14 years.   I've got a lot of kids.   They're mine.   Because I'm selfish like that.

So back to my stupid rule of three.   I'm applying it to my writing.   If it comes to mind more than three times, it's a sign I should be blogging.   And let's face it - I've been slacking on the blogging these days and there's no good excuse.

Lately.... people (broad generalization) have a lot to say about my kids.  My students.  Special Ed Students.   Ohhhhh scary scary....those pesky IEP kids.  Over the holidays, on more than one occasion, I witnessed a comment being made about IEP kids.   Some comments were in person, some on social media (teacher groups, etc...) and I've got some things to say.   

So here they are in no particular order... you have been warned.   You may want to abort this reading mission if you're worried I'm going to offend.   Because chances are, I will.   But my stupid rule of three is in effect and reflection is important and after I write this out I'll feel super awesome.   

• IEP means I expect progress.    

• I am aware it means Individualized Education Plan.   But my kids (yes, MY kids) know that I expect progress.

• I don't teach the retards.   And seriously, it's 2019 - if you're going to pick on these kids at least have the ***** to come up with a new word.  

• If you need help with vocabulary, ask one of my kids.   Theirs expands on the regular.  

• My students have talents that would blow your freaking mind.

• I do not believe that my students should respect me.

• Let me make that last point again.  I do not believe that my students respect me.  Do they?  Yes.   But it's my job to show them MY respect first.   Yes.  You read that right.   Their battles are intense.   You have no idea.   They deserve your respect, too.

• Oh... and just to add some music to this post... let's have some of my girl Aretha.  

• If you start a statement with "kids today" I want you to know that I have absolutely no control over what my face will do.   If I don't make a face, rest assured I'm rolling my eyes at you in my head.

• My kids aren't stupid.   Far from it.   They've just got a glitch in their system.   That's all.  We deal.

• Don't you dare talk down to them.   Use the big words.  The right words.    
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• Having anxiety over having "an IEP kid" in your classroom is a sign that you may need some professional development.   You don't need to be super confident but sweet Lord people... it's not like you're going to have a six legged gangster in your classroom.

• In my classroom we celebrate our progress.

• And guess what... we celebrate failure, too.   I blame this entirely on my girl, Joy Kirr.  We learn from our mistakes and we come out stronger.

• I want you to now take a moment and ask yourself... when was the last time you had an honest to goodness conversation with a teenager today?

• Here... have some jeopardy music to help ponder my question.

In all seriousness.   Words hurt.   Hurt people hurt people.   Read that again.   Here... I'll type if for you.   Hurt people... hurt people.   Please be mindful of what you say online about others.  Even I was mindful in this post.   I bleeped out a swear word.   This goes back to my celebrating progress point.

Truly though.... when was the last time you had an honest to goodness conversation with a teenager?