What's Your Everest?

What's your Everest?

We watched this video during our first faculty meeting.

Our principal pointed out that NONE of this would have been possible without the guide. 

Who is your Nuru? 

Never Read The Comments!

As some of you may know, and if you're a loyal reader, you DO know .... my son was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism this past February.    If you'd like to read more about that, click this link.

I am a true believer that everything has a purpose.   Whether we like it or not, God has a plan.   It's not our job to like it, but it is our job to trust it.    After Elliot was diagnosed, I decided to join some parenting groups online and for the most part - it has been a rather positive experience.

However, lately, as the school year begins for kids on the spectrum -- there have been all sorts of posts out there which basically encourage parents to bully the special education teacher and the IEP team.    I'm on both sides here.   I'm a special education teacher and I do a damn good job.    I'm entering year 15 and I've never once been taken to due process.   I am also a mom of a child with Autism.   

When I saw this post - I felt irritated:

"Remember, YOU are in charge, NOT them."   

Ummm... actually, it's a team effort.   That's why it is called an IEP TEAM.   I don't know one educator out there who isn't in this for the best possible solution and plan for all students to be successful.    I commented on the post and said it was a team effort and I was shocked at the amount of moms who ended up sending me private messages.    I also indicated that some of the things on this list... aren't really accurate at all. 

I reported the page for inaccurate information.

I completely understand that the IEP process can be an emotional one.   I've been there.   I cried during Elliot's first IEP meeting.   I don't even know why!   He's smart.   He's gifted.   He's just got a few quirks to iron out.   But I cried.   However, I never once viewed anyone in that room as the "enemy."

So let me be clear here ya'll.

Kids are smart.    Whether they have an IEP or a GIEP or no IEP.   Kids are smart.   They sense stuff.  If your kids sense that you have a negative rapport with their teacher or their team, it will impact their success.   It's just how the cookie crumbles.   If little Suzie knows you don't care for Mrs. Jones, do you think she's going to want to give Mrs. Jones her best? 

Be nice to special education teachers and the IEP team.   We aren't the enemy.   I promise. 

The reality is, right now, at this VERY moment - my family is up at the cabin.   I am NOT with them.  I'm in MY office reading the IEP's of MY students.   I SHOULD be making smores with my kids.   I should be catching some fireflies.   Instead, I chose to put your kid before my pleasure.   And I am NOT the only one.   We all make sacrifices.   Especially special ed teachers.   Be kind.   Form a relationship with your special ed teachers and case managers.   It goes a long way.

To the parents of the kids I teach - thank you for your love and support as we work together to plan a bright future for your child.   Thank you for the honor of allowing me teach and care for your child! 

Zee bins, zee bins!

I don't know any teacher who is not a fan of Dollar Tree or any bargain.

Last year, despite the cubbies and despite the awesome wall hangers - I was having some serious issues with my ninth graders and their organization.    It was a lot of modeling, taking time, practicing, etc.     Many of the kids were big fans of organized chaos and even showed me pics of their bedrooms to prove it.   In all my years of teaching, I never experienced a more unorganized class.    My blessing was the kids embraced their issues and they were willing to learn.   Executive functioning lessons to the max, yo.

So this year, I want to be ahead of things.    Kids are all getting their own "slot" on the wall as well as the bin.   However.... I'm poor.    There's no way I could spend the money being asked for 40+ bins.

Dollar Tree to the rescue!   I've never seen these bins at Dollar tree before and I scooped them up.

I was so serious about this purchase, I put them in a seat belt. 

So let us talk about said bins, shall we?    The slots on the wall will be for their folders and their workbooks (if applicable).   The bins are going to contain the following items:

• One pack of sticky notes (we respond to text a lot!)
• One eraser
• One highlighter
• Three pencils (sharpened)
• One marble copybook (Thank you, Staples!)
• One small journal.

A perk of this is also it will allow my students even more privacy.   I've never once caught a student snooping in a journal that does not belong to them, but now it's even more unlikely.

I'm presently looking up paint markers so students can decorate their bins if they so choose.    

Classroom photos and changes

 If you've been in my room, you will notice that straight ahead in this photo is my desk.   It's still in the same "area" but I moved it.     It used to sit right against the back counter.   However, I moved it for two reasons.   Reason number one is not something I'm going to publicly blog about.   Reason number two - it allows me an even better view of the room and provides more room in the back for students to work or for one-on-ones.    I would love for it to be under my TV but I'm terrified of that beast falling on me. 

Ah, the world of special ed.   We need storage for our paper/documentation/progress monitoring.

New writing center with lamp and music.    Plenty of pencils and erasers.    

View from the door.   My table set up changes often.    And I don't do it.   The kids do.   

Teacher confession:   I don't mind "designing" the bulletin board but actually completing it is not my thing.   Mad love to my hubs for "installing" the new purple paper with my dollar store ribbon.    If you look really close, you'll see that there are lights going across the top and across the entire front board just like the side board.   I received a lot of compliments last year from parents and admin about the lighting in my room considering I lack natural lighting.

This is a turn in station as well as a work station.   

Another view of the room from under the television.   More on the cubbies across the way in a later post.

 This shelf used to be at the front door but it's now beside my desk.   The shelf underneath (not pictured) will be a charging station. 

 These were an awesome Amazon investment.    They're so strong.   This will hold workbooks for students and their folders. 

 Classroom library!    I've been doing a lot of donating, purging, and recycling this summer.   Books that hadn't been checked out in 5+ years were donated.   I really want to start building on my graphic novel collection.    If you'd like to help with that, here is the link to my Amazon wishlist.   :-)

 This drawer and the photo below was inspired by my pal Dan Tricarico.       Taking some time to find some Zen on stressful days.   I teach special ed.   We have a lot of those.   :P 

Brainstorming...

I bought this poster for my classroom.   I'm presently brainstorming ideas.   I'd like to explain the poster and do something hands-on with the kids... hmmm...