Life Skill Lessons

Last week I started going around to campuses for the Genesea Staff Development #1 for this year. I think the first day went well, especially given that I had surgery the day before. The doctor said I would be fine to go to work the next day as long as it was a mellow day. How much more mellow can it be then to sit and talk to your colleagues. Well, I think it was too much. Not because of the Staff Development but because I had two of them on different campuses and then had a meeting with the office managers that afternoon. I’m glad I slept in that day and didn’t come in to work till 11 but boy did I regret not canceling everything when I got home that night. I was exhausted.

But back to the Staff Development, I always feel bad for the teams that I meet with first as they don’t get ALL the information. At each meeting, I get so much input that add to the next teams information. I am going to try to make sure that my early S.D. teams get the updates. I have always wanted to meet with the coordinators prior to the first team meeting so that they have a chance to look over my paperwork but that never happens.

I’m learning a lot about working at the “District Office”. The flexibility is nice but it sure can be lonely. I’m enjoying going to the campuses for the S.D., its sometimes my only reason to get up from my desk.

It still shocks me how much time I can spend at the computer. Just realized I was supposed to run an errand during my “lunch” today, oh well, I guess I’ll do it tomorrow.

I know it’s been a while since I’ve written. Last year was a crazy “fast” year.

For the 2008-2009 school year, I shared a classroom with a teacher. I taught in the morning and then in the afternoon I went to the district office to work on our web-based IEP program.

For 2009-2010 school year, I shared a classroom with a different teacher. This time, I would teach for 5 days (Thursday-Wednesday) and then I would go to the District office to work on our web-based IEP program. To make things crazier, I got married in February and when I got home from the honeymoon I was told that my teaching partner was being pulled to another site that needed her. So, I had to go back to full time classroom teaching, with trying to do some of the web-based needs on the side. I ended the year- EXHAUSTED!

This year, 2010-2011, I have stepped out of the classroom full time. I am now a TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment)- Special Education Technology. This means that if it relates to special education and technology, I’m involved. We got a grant that gave each teacher $3,000 to spend in technology (hardware) and the district purchased thousands of dollars worth of software. I’m in charge of training our staff on all the equipment and software. I am still also in charge of our web-based IEP program.

You would think this would make me a very busy person, but in all honesty I am more relaxed. Have an “office” job is so different that teaching. At the end of the day, I can leave my emails and phone calls and know that I can get to them tomorrow.

I needed this year to be less stress and I think I found it. I know it’s only September but I hope I get a little busier (I know I need to be careful what I wish for).

is worth crying over. and the one who is won’t make you cry (Sarah Cane- age 10)

As donors and donation come in from the donorschoose.org and adopt-a-classroom websites, I’ve decided to make a photo card with a picture of the students on it to send to them. I thought that I could said something like “Thank you for make our classroom wishes come true”

I found some adorable (but not too young) ones at Target. They are $5.99 for 10 cards at Target.

I think we are just going to have to do it!

quoted from my gmail chat with my paraprofessional over the summer.

Every Friday, we have a cooking lesson. To help share the responsibility, we will rotate the person who is in charge of the lesson for the day. Just because you are in charge doesn’t mean you are alone. Below is the schedule: 

9/12   Paraprofessional 1- quesadillas

9/19   Teacher - Smoothies

9/26   Paraprofessional 2- Pigs in a blanket

10/3   Paraprofessinal 3 - Caramel apples

What I expect during cooking lessons:

• 1) related it to food pyramid, talk about a balanced meal
• 2) talk about the measurement utensils and compare them to math (i.e. two ½ cups makes a whole)
• 3) make sure all the kids have a job to do (even if it is just opening a package)
• 4) Everyone must take at least 1 bite (unless it is Rogelio who doesn’t eat meat)
• 5) Talk about food preparation needs (i.e. clean hands, washing tomatoes before cutting)
• 6) Make sure that the cooking area and all pots, pans, utensils are cleaned and put away

If you think of something to add to this list please add it  for us.

I am so disappointed with a student that has been with me for 2 years already. I can’t believe that he let his pants get wet (he wears pull-ups) and then tried to go about his day without letting anyone know. I guess he asked to go to the bathroom at lunch time and the nurse (for one of my other students) noticed that his pants were already wet.

I plan to have a talk with him to let him know that this is not expectable. He is an 8th grader and he must walk around with a clean pull-up. The doctor does not want him in soiled pull-ups. They are there for bladder control not as an alternative to the restroom.  

To my paraprofessionals: I need all of your assistance with reminders that he is now a teenager and that he must act like one by keeping his hygiene and appearance up to standard.

This summer I wrote my paraprofessionals about this exact issue in one of my “thoughts of the day”. We shall not accept baby behaviors from him. He shall grow up this year. He shall be responsible and we shall hold him to much higher expectations.

I will not let him slip between the cracks. We need to make a special effort to push him in the right direction next (this) year. I think I let him “quietly” sit by and watch things happen. I think he could have accomplished a lot more if I had paid attention. I think having the Mild Handicapped teachers as his LA teacher will help as he will keep me informed as to what he’s doing. He has the potential. Please help me get it out of him.

This students has the potential to be in the Mild class for so much more if he self advocated and took responsibility for himself and his actions.

From Dr. B one of the best principals I’ve ever worked with, as the answer to my saying that I would have to respectfully decline his request if I could be the BTSA support provider for our new Science Teacher, since I said that I was going to actually live my new motto of saying NO to somethings.