My new job - Page 2

[Linda on the move]

Great News!!!

Friday afternoon I found out that I get to stay at the school where I am!  I'm switching to a position that rotates between 3 different classroom (one cross cat, and 2 gen ed) and has specific duties for kids with a variety issues. I'm really excited about it. The teachers I'll be working with are super, and the nature of the position means that I'll have a lot of variety and see how different teachers do things. I'll be working with special needs kids who are mainstreamed part of the day and kids in a self contained classroom part of the day.

The principal really went to bat for me. He told the district that he was concerned that if they made me switch to the other school, I might quit, and that would be a loss for the district.
 

[rightkindofme]

That's wonderful. I'm so glad you are appreciated. :)

[Tigerle]

That's great!

I feel that having a child with SN, meeting children that are more badly affected than one's own is scary, because it stirs up all the worries again one had thought could be put away. Then, after I got over my initial shock and fears, I just felt the need to reach out while being grateful for how lucky we've been so far.

Edited to add that I love your attitude about taking on whatever life throws at you and will try to emulate it!

[FarmerBeth]

Great news!

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by Tigerle 

I feel that having a child with SN, meeting children that are more badly affected than one's own is scary, because it stirs up all the worries again one had thought could be put away.

For me, it's not about fear. My family is complete and my kids are teens, and I have peace about what I've been given deal to deal with and what I've been blessed with. But what I enjoy most about my job is the interaction with the kids, and I feel that I, personally, would find that less satisfying with children who are non-verbal, profoundly cognitively impaired, etc.

I could still end up at the other school eventually, but not right now. I'm I'm grateful for that.

[Eyelet]

Linda - congratulations on your job, that is great. I also consider going into special ed when my son is a bit older, simply because I personally feel it's more of a calling then a profession. My son has severe autism/nonverbal and attends a self contained special education school for profound students.. because of this I'm actually more drawn to working with profound students because that is what I know best. Anyhow, good luck to you and best wishes. :o)

ETA: Have you read any of Torey Hayden's books? She writes nonfiction stories and information about being a special needs teacher. Her books are amazing and were life changing for me. I highly recommend her!

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by Eyelet 

My son has severe autism/nonverbal and attends a self contained special education school for profound students.. because of this I'm actually more drawn to working with profound students because that is what I know best.

That's so cool!  I think it's amazing how different people feel drawn to working with different kinds of kids.

Right now, one of my little buddies has a birth defect and therefore lacks usable hands and arms, one has fetal alcohol syndrome, one has high functioning autism with sensory issues out the ying yang, and one has spastic cp.

And they are all just little dears. I adore them.

[rightkindofme]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move 



That's so cool!  I think it's amazing how different people feel drawn to working with different kinds of kids.

I miss my gang kids so much it hurts. I feel like I accomplished more good in the three years I taught than in any other ten year period. I haven't been able to talk someone into better life choices in a long time. I feel kind of useless. I try to convince myself that my kids need the attention too.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by rightkindofme 

I try to convince myself that my kids need the attention too.

I think the most important thing we will do in our lives is raise our own kids.

I'm glad that I wasn't trying to work with other people's children while my children were still young. For me, segmenting seems to be working really well.