I told myself I would wait at least one month before posting another blog so that I could get a full view of who my year with the kids would be a sweet geez did I!
In my last post you saw my beautiful room before! Well, after a little shelf lining, colorful duct tape, construction and crate paper, and of course some spray paint; my amazing cousin, beautiful sister in law and made this room an awesome place to be :)
Please notice my life saving assistant working like a champ while I take pictures lol.
Then running away when she realized what I was doing haha.
During my first week, my assistant went on vacation...yes I know, an assistant who has done this job for years leaves a poor unknowing first year teacher on the first week of school to fend for herself! But luckily I had two fabulous neighbors who came to the rescue with every scream and whimper. ha-ha Thank you Sharon and Stephanie!
After my first week of...well I just say it...mind blowing, confidence killing hell...I made it through with only a few tears and bruises. Once my assistant came back and we worked out a scheduled routine things were smooth sailing...and then the two words every special education teacher hates to hear came up during a meeting...Alternate Assessment...DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNNN. I thank my lucky stars and my humbly forgiving God for my partners in crime in this room and next door. Before I arrived they had everything set up and ready to go for me to begin baseline testing. The outlines were ready to go, I just had to find the curriculum pages. These pages were also located in an easy to use binder ready for testing. It was so amazingly organized, I bought Chickfila breakfast for my team the next day. Nothing says thanks for being awesome like some chicken biscuits and some delicious chicken minis.
Some awesome websites I have found that offer great activities that are easy to manipulate for my children with severe disabilities are:
and of course www.pinterest.com
In these last few weeks my assistant and I have had to deal with everything from IEP meetings, Alternate Assessment, getting pooped, spit, and thrown up on, Department of Human Services, child custody, and of course the all and wonderful pureed pizza for lunch(One of the kids favorites). I've started getting used to coming home smelling like pediasure and pureed foods.
I figure, if we can handle/conquer all this within the first few weeks of school, this year is gonna be a breeze. Until then I have six amazing children, two incredibly talented neighbors, and one amazing assistant to help me along the way.
