Monday Night

So I went to update the classroom blog, and OF COURSE the editor is down. Things have been going well. It helps that this group of kids can sit down and listen at the same time. Oh, and the fact that I may have a better understanding of what to do may help too!!

Big Splashes

Last week, my class jumped into the Big Splash Program. A program that has students with special needs swim with certified instructors. My kids love it and I love that they are working on focusing, concentration, and motor skills. Not a bad way to spend a Monday morning!!

I am digging into my graduate work this semester. I am really ready for it to be over and the semester has just begun. Next spring, if all goes well, I will be able to graduate and step back from furthering my education for a little while.

New Requirement

So I have a new requirement to list when hiring for a classroom assistant...must know how to play Go Fish.

Its been a bit of a long week, as my students and assistants (and hopefully not me) proceed to pass germs around. I have found myself requiring a lot of sleep, which will hopefully help me to stay away from the germs.

The classroom is not ready for next week, but before I even think about it I plan to enjoy my long weekend!

Technology

I have just written the classroom blog entry for the day twice now and the program still won't save it and just LOST it AGAIN!!

Outside of the issues with the districts website editor, I feel very good about this school year!

Back to fighting with the editor!

Great 1st Day!

Had a great day, and I have good feelings about this year as my class seems amazing. Three girls that are quickly becoming the Ladies in Pink will keep my laughing and smiling. All three of them are so smart in their own ways. I am also excited to have a few students who get and even enjoy my sense (or lack of) humor.

Sailing Into a New Year!

Day one down, 189 to go! I gained an additional student today, bringing my total for this coming year to nine. Three girls and six boys. Also, three second graders and six third graders. Should be a great crew. Not to excited about sitting in a very long meeting, 8-4 tomorrow and then having back to school night for two hours tomorrow night. May have to test out my new coffee maker and see how many cups it really can do!!

Quick Update

The school year has ended (won't lie, a few weeks ago) and I survived my first year of teaching!!

Believe

Its getting late, and I haven't finished report cards...
Wanted to let say that God is good and all you have to do is put your faith in Him. He came through for me once again today!

People First or First People?

When was the last time you referred to someone as a handicapped, crippled person? We all have to admit to it, the words the Autistic boy, disabled friend, or handicapped neighbors have probably come out of our mouths just a few times in the past few weeks. Which sounds better to you; Billy with Autism or Autistic Billy? The politically correct answer is Billy with Autism. It not only puts the person in front of the disability; but is also legally correct. Which sure is a good thing since Billy is so much more than just his Autism. He is a caring older brother who is awesome at video games, oh and he just happens to have a disability called Autism. Back to the legalities involved here. In 1990, the law changed the wording from handicapped people (Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 P.L. 94-142) to individuals with disabilities (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 P.L. 101-476). Not only does the law state it, but putting the person before his or her disability just plain sounds better. This leads us to the word handicapped; which to me is a word that belongs on the golf course, not our everyday lives. In most instances, the word disability now replaces the word handicapped; especially when referring to a nonphysical disability. So, before referring to Billy as the Autistic boy, remember he is so much more. He is Billy the boy who happens to have Autism.

This was to be in the Sioux City Journal this past weekend...I couldn't find it...not sure what happened.

Almost the End

I can't believe I am 12 days away from being done with my first year of teaching! I don't have to move rooms, as of right now atleast. I am not perfect, and my teaching isn't either, but I feel good about things.
'

Drama and Wisdom

There is limited things I can say on this topic, but the following are things that have crossed my mind in the past few days...
I am young, don't expect me to take on the world, but I guess I can handle a hemisphere if I need to.
I have nine students whom I teach social skills to, I can't make it 10.
Tomorrow is Friday, that is all that matters!
You get what you get and you dont throw a fit. - One of my all time favorite phrases!

By the way, as of today I no longer have to change classrooms this summer, which is nice. Things could change...ask me tomorrow and we will see what the answer is then!

Four students and I

Tomorrow is a day I am looking forward to! It will be my four 2nd graders and me while the rest of the crew is at the Nature Center for the 3rd grade field trip. I have never really been alone, as the only adult, in the classroom. I know I am the teacher, but its just different when you have adults in the room whom are older than you...
The school year is wrapping up quickly. Finished mentoring with my mentor for the school year today. Only 17 days left of school, one work day, and then I am FREE for the summer. Except for the 19 credits of graduate class...moving classrooms...and any other projects I find...
One of my graduate courses is frustrating me. I know it will work itself out, its just frustrating. It is also frustrating to be in the unknown about what my classroom will look like next year for classroom assistants...
Random: My cousins three year old son informed me today, more than once, that I am not a teacher. There is no way that I am a teacher. I am a kid!! I love it and it along with hanging out with him in general made my day!!

Just me venting

I realize I am young, only 22.
I am so so thankful to have graduated early. I have a great job that is such a good fit for me. I am in an amazing building, brand spanking new, with wonderful people. Finding good friends and great coworkers.
I know I have peers who are not as mature as me.
Peers older than me just graduating. Peers who will walk across the stage next May with their undergraduate degree in hand while I accept my Masters in Ed. Peers who have no idea what they are going to do with their life. Living off the government. Having babies. Getting engaged. Handing back the ring. Getting married. Getting divorced.
I realize my mind is growing up to fast for itself. It has some catching up to do! Hurry up brain, I don't have time to wait.
Things amaze me sometime.
I have nine students, most whom can't tell me if their right toe or head hurts. Many who don't always know my name. Students who I am responsible for not only in the matter of 9 months of education, but their living, breathing, and personal care. I am a nurse, emergency response, teacher, mother, strict rule setter, hugger, OT, speech therapist, PT, social worker, PE teacher, Art teacher, music teacher, 3 ring circus leader, therapist, parent resource data base, moderator, boss in charge of two adults older than me, and through all of that, a 22 year old first year teacher.
I lead a group at Gigi's Playhouse and volunteer for several other things, lead a group at Siouxland Autism Support Group, wavier staff, team caption, graduate student, daughter, best friend, sister, granddaughter, and attempt to keep myself sane.

So, I apologize if sometimes I seem stressed. I am sorry if there are times where I am straight forward. I hate it when I don't have time to wait around. I feel bad when I have to push to get what I want, what I need for ME. I apologize ahead of time for all the times I will call you crying; for the times I will call, text, and beg for attention. Attention from someone who is not 8 years old, but also not 50. Attention from someone who speaks English; someone who speaks at all. Attention from someone who can not only use the restroom independently, but also can make decisions without having to explain them in great detail.

only 23 more days of school

Golden Skate Award

Yesterday, a few minutes after lunch recess, I was talking to my consultant and my phone rang. It was my principal. He says he does not know what my students are doing, but can we please come to the commons. Sure - nothing like completely throwing everything and everyone off. Does he not understand if its not on our schedule, its not happening. Especially forcing us to change gears so quickly. It did not help that I had no idea what we were doing so I couldn't offer anything to the students when they were wondering what the crap we were doing!!
I know that my principal does his best and really is he is amazing.
So we walk ourselves to the commons. Thanks to my consultant who came with! Turns out, after we stand there for ten minutes, we had won the Golden Skate Award! Funny part of the whole ordeal was the one student of my nine who actually when to the skating fundraiser did not want to touch the award. Since yesterday he has slowly been warming up to it and touching it!!

Growing Up

The following is how I feel about growing up...or something like that.
Facebook - miss the days when you had to have a valid college email address to get on. Even if that ment I could no longer use facebook (though, yes my college email still works) I would be completely ok with it! When you toss in my aunt, parents of clients, parents of my students, and fellow teachers, (oh and my brother :-) ), you make me want to scream. I have to think multiple times before I even consider posting a status. Not like I do much with my life I wouldn't want seen, and even if I did would not put it online; but its the idea behind it! If I wish to write FML on my facebook status, I would like to be able to. The funny part of all of this is I know of several college professors and staff who are on facebook, and they handle it in such a "super cool" manner. Maybe I should become a college professor...Dr. Galvin the college professor. It kind of has a ring to it! :-)
Going out - I know I did not go out much in college and not at all in high school, but that does not mean that I have any desire to go out on a week night...to a bar...to drink...and get home late...and possible see people I know whom I do not want to see like a parent of one of my students...to then have to go to work and attempt to corral nine students, have two classroom aids, support four general education teachers...and not proceed to NOT need a drink after the day is done!

Circus tomorrow

So the circus is coming to town and its not just in my classroom! Eight of my students, myself, my two aids, and a parent are going to the circus. Who would ever thought a trip to the circus could cause so much drama. Between one student to scared to go and another mom trying to not have to pay to take her family later in the week; I am being reminded of why I did not like drama in high school or even college for that matter. Wish me luck, I may need it!

Days off

So how does a teacher spend her first personal day? This one spent her's spending way to much money and running around town with her best friend!! I will admit I did check my school email, did stop by school for something, and even went to the teacher store. I also have been entering IEP data and soon will be back to the grind stone on alternative assessment. Maybe tomorrow I will actually not think about school for an entire 24 hours, maybe...

Getting Closer!

I am slowly crossing off the items on my long to do list, as I also seem to keep adding to it at the same time. Alternative assessment has been given and entered. Just need to sort and enter on the computer!! I am taking my two personal days tomorrow and Friday, but first need to prepare the two days worth of stuff for the sub.

Bowling

So I took my class bowling today. It was a community mobility trip. And we went with another class. But still, I took my class bowling, a huge undertaking in itself. It went very well. And the day as a whole went very well too. Tomorrow is Friday!! Always a good thing!

Testing for alternative assessment is almost, kind of done. And they extended the deadline so that is always nice.

I have just a few IEPs to write, only a couple overdue. Oops. Well I guess a couple overdue a year is not terrible.

Beginning to really enjoy the kids. Starting to miss them and they are not even gone yet. Not even close. Its weird I guess.

Ice and good day

What a day. Due to a variety of reasons, I only had 2/3 of my class today. The buses were 45 minutes to an hour late this morning and took an extra 15 - 30 minutes to come this afternoon. I had two students for a while, and that was only because their mothers had brought both of them in due to the bus situation. I was able to get alot done today and feel good about today! To bad everyday can't be like that...

...the start of a good idea

So after a nice conversation with a mom on Friday after school, I have decided that a wheelchair ramp needs to be built for one awesome girl! A girl whom always has a smile on her face and does not let her multiple disabilities/health concerns get in her way. I happen to know her through both of my jobs and she put a smile on my face more than once! This plan of mine is only in the stage that includes me thinking about it a lot and beginning to plan how I am going to make it happen...with basically no construction skills...and personally very little funding.

I think this is were I decide I need help!
Needed:
People with knowledge of how to build a secure ramp.
People with the muscle power to build it. I was thinking frat boys, Boy Scouts, or just overall nice people, but really anyone will do :-).
Materials
Funding
And one nice day with decent weather to make this all happen.

This coming week

I am slowly making progress on my testing/really large pile of papers. I am excited for this coming week as we are going to Mside three times! It should be fun, productive, and a little interesting with my students.

testing, testing, testing

If it is not alternative assessment I am doing this week (and next week and the week after that...) its probes for IEPs. Oh and I have two IEPs due within the week. Atleast the speech therapist finally typed the four numbers she needed to enter, so I finally was able to submit one I had done a month or two ago...

The other theme of my life seems to be meetings, meetings, meetings! Overall though I would say my week has been good, though we are only two days into it...

A different perspective

We range from being able to play UNO to needing everything in a box, go fish is fun though we cheat, card holders are helpful to us, able to read to no letters, 2nd grade gen ed math to counting to 3. As you know, some of us do not know our name. We are all "verbal" though we really do range. One of us is in the process of getting a talker (device). We are 2nd and 3rd graders, mod md. No real physical needs besides limited steps and two runners, one whom Galvin worries about. Project Lifesaver is our friend and life skills are important, so are manners. One of us is a perfectionist, Galvin and him seem to understand each other!
Some of us have some behavior concerns but we tend to be angels if we are going to get 1:1 attention. Ms. Galvin is currently going with Love and Logic, physically removing either the problem or the rest of the class and not paying any attention to us - which really makes us mad. We have 5 pennies velcroed to our desk and as long as we are good we do not lose them. We have reward twice a day. We feed off of each other but are also there for each other when one of us gets to being mean or loud. Raising our hands is a tough concept, very tough. Two of us are very very hard to understand, especially if you are not around us all the time. This makes one of us mad and the other one of us is really ok with a smile and a nod of your head.
6 of us are independent in bathrooming, one needs to be prompted because the auto flush toilets are a bit scary; 2 of us are in pull-ups though Ms Galvin is pretty sure big girl pants is in one of our futures real soon and the other is not real far behind. Visual MJ line drawing schedules run our lives, and we can't really function without a few 5 pt. timers. Some of us like the time timer but it can only be thrown across the room so many times before it does not work :-). Velcro is our friend as two of us need a pull off schedule, one more than the other. We love to be read to! Between speech and integration and two aids, Ms. Galvin has a tendency to go a bit crazy at times.
Some of us need adult support in Gen. Ed. One of us is going to try a mild placement starting in the fall while three of us could be in s/p. We all love food though one of us is a real choking concern, while another one of us could be if we are not careful. We will be very very excited when Ms Galvin decides to tell us about our trip to see you, though she won't tell us for a while :-).

Another month

Another month down, and it seems like I have even more to do.

I had a parent call in the other day and say if her child was feeling better, she would bring him in; but if not, she was going to keep him home. What a thought!! If only every parent thought that way! As the winter months have arrived, I have added nurse to my list of jobs besides teacher. And through it all, I have some how managed to stay semi healthy. If anyone would like to donate a thermometer to my classroom it would make my life easier!

The 100th day was on Friday, Groundhog's Day is Monday, and Valentine's Day will be here before I know it.