teaching

When Students Slip Through the Cracks

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There are many teachings and expectations in education that I struggle to fully wrap my head around. Education is supposed to be a systematic, regulated structure formats, frameworks, and standards we are expected to follow. Yet the reality is, not everything fits neatly into those boxes, and not every student does either.

I am a special education teacher in an alternative education school. Our school serves students from ten surrounding districts within our county. We work with students in grades 7 through 12, and the classified disabilities we support include emotional disturbance, learning disabilities, other health impairments (OHI), Tourette’s syndrome, and others.

Our special education classrooms are structured as 8:1:1, while our general education classes can include up to twelve students. We serve students with high-incidence disabilities in one program and students with low-incidence or more severe disabilities in another, based on instructional and support needs. These decisions are not arbitrary they are intentional, because the needs are real and complex.

Every facet of education matters. Curriculum matters. Standards matter. Data matters. But what matters just as much are the students sitting in those classrooms students who come in carrying trauma, instability, frustration, and often a long history of feeling misunderstood or dismissed.

And this is the part that weighs heavy.

If we, as educators, do not do a thorough job if we allow these students to slip through the cracks of the education system the impact does not end at graduation or aging out. These are the same students who are eventually sent out into the real world without the tools, coping skills, or supports they needed all along. The struggle doesn’t disappear; it just shifts. And when it does, it affects all of society.

Education is not just about passing classes or checking off requirements. For many of these students, school is the last structured support system they will have. It is where they learn how to regulate emotions, resolve conflict, communicate, and survive in a world that often isn’t built for them.

Let Me Do My Job

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I’m taking a huge risk and it’s sad. I am taking a risk for saying how I really feel.

Today’s society is nothing like the one in which I grew up in. I had morals. I had respect. I lived by rules. Because of this, I am and became the person who I am today.

Things are different today. We, the older generation have to be afraid of what we say and do. The older generation is a lost and forgotten generation. I am talking about the ones who were born in the 60’s and 70’s and younger. Some of us are afraid, like me, who is in fear of losing my job. The job that’s keeping me afloat in this messed up world that we live in today. But should I really be living in fear? What am I at risk of losing? What am I going to gain if I say and do what I feel is in my heart?

The loss of my voice is debilitating. I cannot do the job that my heart yearns for me to do. My job is to make others better. To make others worthy and stronger and self-sufficient. All that is being stripped away from me.

I am a teacher. Let me teach. Let me do the best job I can and have faith in me that I will give others a chance to be successful in life. But how am I supposed to do that if you take away everything I believe in that I need to pass on to generations to come?

It’s a sad society that we live in today. It’s sad that we have to be afraid to discipline, give guidance, and instill morals to those who need it the most.

I finally gave in

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Well today was the day, I gave in to a pair of sneaks that were a little over my budget but hopefully will be worth the investment. I am on my feet all day long and comfort is soooo important to me. I invested in a pair of Allbirds sneakers. They’re called the Tree skippers. I got them in white and should be here in a few days.

Seriously, instead of buying crap lol its well worth it to invest in a great pair of shoes. All though I love my sketchers, I felt like trying out something new for a changes.

As soon as I get them and give them a test run, I will let you all know.

Happy Sunday everyone!! [SQUARE]:Chalk (White Sole)

 

 

 

Snowy thoughts

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Just summing up from yesterday, even though we did not have the boys or Alisha(and we were bumming from time to time about that) our day turned out pretty good. We had awesome food with some beautiful people. No stress, no fuss and that is exactly how it should be. I hope everyone else had a great day as well.
I am going to ramble on again so here it goes. You have to stop and think about what is your life all about? What’s happening that is good and bad? And, which parts of those occurrences are self-induced? I can’t say I had this epiphany just recently or not even in the past 10 years but my personal revelation of being happy with what I have has always been my number one priority. I feel that what God has given me now is a blessing and that primarily being in my book, is life. Anything else is icing on the cake. I listen to the people around me talk and I can see sadness and anguish on their faces. Think about what is causing that and what is the best solution to eliminate it. Life isn’t always going to go according as planned but working with what you have and making the best out if it is sometimes the answer to your problems.
The worst possible thing that could happen to me is my mom passing a couple of years ago. I still grieve over it but it is one of those things that was totally out of my control and inevitable. Some things in life like death you cannot change so the best thing to do is just roll with those feelings and eventually the pain will ease up some and you move on. I hate to be so cut and dry about it but it’s the truth, sad and painful at times, but true.
Where am I going with all this???? Oh okay yup I remember….in the end all the roller coaster of emotions and life’s ups and downs will eventually pay off. Whatever is going to be will be and if it isn’t what truly makes you happy then change it. Don’t take this life for granted. I know I won’t. Not now, not ever, and not for anyone. I have gold in my hands and even though it isn’t perfect I wouldn’t trade my life for anything in this world. I am so blessed.
Once again a new year is upon us. Start over and consciously make that effort to change what is wrong. I still have a lot of changes to make to get to where I want to be but it’s a process as life always is. Some changes are by all means not easy to make, like the ones I have ahead of me, but as time passes you will realize by making those changes you did the right thing to get to where you have to be and that is happy, and happy doesn’t cost a thing!!
Have a great day everyone. I’m sure I’ll be making another longwinded post again before Christmas. If my posts helps anyone out there who might need reassurance that everything will work out in the end, then I’m okay with that and if there are those of you that think I’m just plain nuts, then so be it! Lol!
“Life is good. Work hard, be humble, and most of all be kind to one another.” Oh and remember, “happy doesn’t cost a thing.” Love that saying!