Tag Archives: education

The Ups And Downs

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Today is Central Auditory Processing Disorder awareness day. April is Autism awareness month. As a special education teacher, consultant and advocate I have had the pleasure (and sometimes frustration) of working with students with all sorts of diagnoses. I have learned a lot from my students, and their parents, over the years…..things I would never have learned had I not been on this journey.

This is a post from my archives, I am reblogging in support of those with auditory processing disorders and autism.

Making A Real Difference

My friend was sitting at my kitchen counter yesterday morning. She hangs out while I work with her son during Fun Kitchen Fridays. He is learning life skills as we create a cookbook for independent living.  My friend told me that a jeep had just pulled up in my snow covered driveway. Dogs began barking as I opened the door. Flowers for me? Completely unexpected, but welcomed. The flowers were beautiful and smelled like spring on a cold winter day. The card attached read: Thank you for helping my Mom change my life. Love, K.D

The message was short. Simple. Sweet.

Yet, to me, deeply profound. I had what my son likes to refer to as “moist eyes”, as I read the card.

Over the past several weeks I have been consulting with K’s mom. K is on the autism spectrum and she needed help with school planning. Planning that would teach her, and challenge her, and benefit her….things that would make a real difference in the life of this young child.

For parents of children with special needs, many times the battles are great. Being an advocate is not easy work. There are set backs and disappointments, so when the battle is finally won the rewards are often bitter sweet.

Sometimes when life gets us down and everything seems to be going wrong, a small, simple gesture can mean so much.

Making a real, positive, difference in a person’s life. One day at a time.

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Matthew 25: 44-45  NIV

We Are Losing Them

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An Amish schoolhouse, simple and plain. I pass it often on my way from here to there.

It makes me think of what schoolhouses used to look like. One room, all grades.

Not perfect by any stretch but, having high expectations and a disciplined education.

No core standards, no teaching to the test. No crazy curriculum.

As an educator, I have become jaded by the current education system in this country.

Somewhere the love of learning has been replaced by the passion for political correctness.

Reading, writing, and arithmetic have been lost to regulations, assessments, and red tape.

It makes me sad. It really does.

I still love to teach, and my students bring me much joy.

But, in my opinion the foundation of this monstrosity that we call education is fractured.

There are fatal cracks in the foundation.

Unless something radically changes, and soon, we will lose generations of children.

Children that know everything about global warming, evolution as fact (not theory), how to be “green” and recycle, have read books about Johnny’s two mommies, know how to save the whales, and promote anti-bullying……

But, they struggle in reading, can’t think for themselves and don’t know how to even make change.

A real education should be about teaching children to love learning. Learning for a lifetime.

Learning that makes great people, who go on to do even greater things.

I’m scared. The grip is loosening. The little hands are being pulled away. We are losing them.

 

 

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Summer Saturdays

Summer Saturdays

This weekend is for visiting with friends…

High school graduation celebrations…

Enjoying a slower pace.

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In The Still Of The Evening…

Front porch

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Last night I was sitting on the front porch with my husband. Like many married couples, we were talking about everything and nothing in particular. I for one, was thankful that the sun was getting ready to slip under the horizon, making it much cooler than it had been earlier in the day. It was quiet in our little piece of the world, except for the sound of the birds chirping in the fields and an occasional vehicle driving down our country road.   I pondered the fact that life is much different for me now. I never thought that I’d be sitting on the front porch of a home in the country.

As a high school student, I couldn’t wait to go away to college and “recreate” myself. As a college graduate I couldn’t wait to start my new career and have my own place. As a teacher I couldn’t wait to meet my new students and make a positive difference.  As a new wife I couldn’t wait to spend time with my husband, creating our life together. As a young wife, I couldn’t wait until we bought our own house for our family to make memories in. As a new mom, I couldn’t wait to hold my son, love him, and be thrilled with each new step.

As a new widow, I couldn’t wait for the sadness to end, and life to return to some sort of normal. As a single parent, I couldn’t wait to cheer at soccer games, plan birthday parties and go on vacations out West. As a thirty-something, I couldn’t wait for the opportunity to meet someone who would want to share life with me. As a newly remarried woman, I couldn’t wait to figure out how this blended family would work.

Always waiting….

So much of life is spent waiting, isn’t it? Your waiting might be, and probably is, different than my waiting. Life requires waiting.

Waiting for something new. Something different. Something better. Something comfortable. Something real. Something exciting.

Always waiting….

Waiting can bring new life, if I am patient. It has in the past…and it will again in the future.

This season of life has me both waiting and wondering. What will be next?

It is both scary and beautiful, all at the same time. On days when I am weary from worry, grieving from growing, pondering over patience, and just plain wondering, I remind myself that I am not the one in control. I never have been, and that is okay.

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31  NIV

 

 

 

 

 

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Say What?

A leader teach is able to help this student wi...

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Last evening I was looking through some of my blog archives. I came across one that made me laugh out loud. Such a window into my life.

Oh, the memories! Being an elementary school teacher in the South… Teaching was fun and the day to day escapades were good fodder for my blog.

Ya gotta love it!

Click on over for a good laugh:)

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The Piano That Nearly Killed Us

a tale of two keyboards

Image by windsordi via Flickr

It all started when a friend of mine (whom I will call Lindy) put some items online, that she was getting rid of for FREE. Free being the operative word here. I noticed that she had an older upright piano that she wanted out of her house. It just so happens that hubby and I were in the market for a piano. The fact that she was giving it away spiced up the deal quite a bit. Lindy informed me she just wanted it out of her house. “Heave ho, out it goes” was her new mantra.

This past Thursday evening my two sons, husband, and I trekked off to her house. We were determined to haul this piano to it’s new home in our dining room. After much pushing, shoving, a scratched door frame, a few pieces of wood splintered off of the piano AND possible hernias for everyone involved, the piano was in the trailer. A shout out to “Lindy’s” brother, also known as the strong man. He was a good brother and helped his sister get rid of this hulking hunk of wood. I do believe this particular piano had lead in the bottom of it. It was very heavy. I for one did not lift or push the piano. I was there for moral support for the males. Everyone needs a cheerleader. Just sayin’.

We were getting ready to leave when “Lindy” said, “Look, if it falls off the trailer on the way home…just keep driving. Pretend you have no idea how a piano fell off your trailer. Where in the world did that come from? Then speed off and don’t look back.” Thankfully, the piano cooperated and stayed put on our, what should have been 20 minute trek home, going a whopping 10 m.p.h.

Once we got home the fun started. Let’s just say there was a lot of huffing and puffing. Some body parts got smashed. The dogs ran for cover. We were never so glad to get that piano into the house and rolled into it’s new spot. My husband and I have decided that the piano is staying put until we die or Jesus comes again. Amen.

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The Beauty Of Your Smile

When I think of all the times I've tried so ha...

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It doesn’t matter if you have straight teeth, or if you ever even wore braces.  Movie star whitened teeth are not mandatory.

A smile is one of the easiest things a person can wear. It doesn’t cost any money. Anyone can do it.

A genuine smile is a beautiful thing. A smile is the outward expression of a happy heart. That is what makes it so beautiful.

*The smiles of the young couple on their first date. The promise of what the future might hold.

*The smile of new parents who see their precious baby for the first time.

*The smile of a wife that makes her husband feel secure.

*The smile of a husband that makes his wife feel loved.

*The smile of a friend. So much to catch up on!

*The smile of a parent that sees their military child disembark from the plane, safe and sound.

*The smile of a child as he pets his new puppy.

The smile says so much, without saying a word…and that is what makes it so beautiful.

Will you share a smile today?

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What I Want To Be When I Grow Up

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What I want to be when I grow up…..hmmm……

I ask my children about their interests. What do they want to be when they grow up? I get all sorts of answers. Each of my kiddos is soooo very different. Youth minister, IT specialist, chef, car designer, missionary, vet, attorney, own a ranch, live in the city, live in the country, live in Australia, or Ireland or Seattle. So….who knows? All of my children are intelligent and capable. Whatever they set their mind to do, they will do it. I have no doubt.

When I was growing up I decided at around 16 years of age, that I wanted to be a special education teacher. ( if you want to know more detailed information on that, you need to research my past blog entries) I volunteered for the Special Olympics, worked at group homes for developmentally disabled adults, worked camps each summer for special needs individuals, did an independent study during my senior year in high school at a spec. ed preschool, taught Sunday School for disabled people/was a peer buddy, and then graduated from college with a degree in special education and taught for 17 years. Now I do special education consulting for families. It is a passion of mine, if you hadn’t already guessed.

Maybe some day, God will direct me/help me to become the “Erin Brockovich” of special education. Fighting for those who have no voice. I know people personally who are having to argue with  the system on a daily basis to get even the smallest of help for their disabled child. It frustrates me to no end. I do not understand how drug addicts, alcoholics, even sexual predators can get help…and yet, children who can’t walk, are mostly non-verbal, need help even doing the most basic of self help skills can get nothing. I’m not talking “hand outs”, I’m merely asking why not give them a break? I’m tired of hearing the system tell the parents, “You make too much money for us to help you.” (What?!! A middle class salary is hardly going to cut it, when therapies can run a hundred dollars an hour, or equipment can run into the thousands! And this doesn’t even take into account the fact that families may have other children that they are also providing for!) So, should we convey to these parents that their children don’t matter? Or “Sorry, but the school system has a tight budget this year, we’re spread really thin.” (Excuse me, but who cares? You, Mr. School Administrator get federal money for special ed. services. Ever heard of IDEIA? (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act) What do you mean that using a communication device is not necessary? Let’s see, a machine that will talk for the child, or him not being able to communicate at all? Is this REALLY a choice?

Like most other businesses…the business of special education or special services for disabled adults is just that A BUSINESS. Somewhere along the way the “powers that be” have lost their heart for those who are less fortunate. Those who cry, but don’t shed tears. Those who know what they want to say, but can’t speak. Those who run in their mind, yet have legs that won’t cooperate.

Some might say that I am overly excited about this issue. That I am blowing things out of proportion. That things will “work themselves out”.  Um….when? Who is going to work it out? May I quote you on that? Right now it is a bureaucratic pit of red tape. In the meantime, little is changing. Little is getting done. Time is ticking. Early intervention is going by the wayside. My fear is that health care will not be for those who are the weakest among us. Some of the elite don’t believe the lives of the disabled are worthy of treatment, after all, how are they going to improve society? How will they contribute? What can they DO??? Therapies, equipment or supplements are not deemed “necessary”. Not necessary for whom? It is heart breaking. And frustrating.

And yet…..my desire is to make a difference. To be a voice. I speak out whenever I get the opportunity. I help where I can.

 

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Living The Life

Our computers

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As many of you know I am a former, public school, special education teacher. (mouthful, huh?) I loved my job because I loved my students–and their parents. (most of the time) Four years ago I resigned from my teaching career of 17 years to come home. I, with my husband, home educate our own three kiddos. It’s not just a job. It’s an adventure. I’m not talking an adventure, like back backing through Europe. I’m thinking more like living in the trenches in Cambodia. Just teasing. No, really I am. Seriously, people. It’s not Cambodia on most days. Well, unless it is a day that everyone wakes in a bad mood and Dad and I haven’t had our coffee yet. Then we’re talkin’ serious guerilla warfare. Just sayin’.  All in all our kiddos are intelligent, well rounded, and they drive us nuts. On occasion. But, would they be teens if they didn’t? It’s part of the circle of life. I just secretly smile, because I know that one day they will get theirs. God will bless them with children in their spittin’ image. And I will laugh on the inside….because as a grandparent I will spoil my grandkids absolutely rotten (as is my grandparental right) and I will send them back home TO THEIR PARENTS. And I will sleep like a baby:)

TEN REASONS I LOVE HOME SCHOOLING:

1. I know what my children are studying. This is important to me…because I’ve been on “the other side of the fence”, and I know some of the off the wall stuff that is taught in schools, under the guise of character training, or student enlightenment.

2. We can work at odd hours if the need arises.

3. We are not chained to calendars or clocks.

4. My children are readers. They read on a myriad number of subjects, not just assigned textbooks. I learn many things from my own children because of things they’ve seen or read.

5. The kids interact with people of all ages, from toddlers to the elderly. This opens the world up to new relationships.

6. The kids learn to figure things out on their own. They are excellent problem solvers.

7.  They understand that all of life is a learning experience. It doesn’t end after graduation.

8. We can work in our pajamas if we so choose.

9. The kids are still kids. We all have our ups and downs. No one is perfect. They do know that they are loved. They are not scared to go to school.

10. It’s really cool that I, as the teacher, can smooch on the “principal” during lunch break, and I won’t get in trouble. Yep. There are definitely some perks to this lifestyle:)

Helen Keller had it right when she said, “Life is an adventure…or nothing at all.”

 

 

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What Happened To The 3 R’s?

Marysville Public School

Since I have devoted most of my life to learning, both as student and as teacher, I keep up with what is going on in the education arena. I’ve grown deeply concerned over the years about the educational system in this country. Let me tell you why. Every week there seems to be something new and disturbing on the news. There are things that I question, things that make no sense.

1. School used to be a safe place. When parents sent their children off to school they really didn’t fear that they could be shot. Or that a teacher might try and seduce their children (both BOYS and GIRLS)?

2. That their child might become the target of bullies, and sadly, take his/her life?

3. Who in a million years would have thought that teens would participate in “sexting”? Where was modesty lost? When did self-esteem get shattered?

4. Or that high school girls would make “pacts” to become pregnant?

5. When did Montana decide that kindergartners needed to know about detailed human anatomy? And by 5th grade be expected to understand different sexual positions?

6. When was it decided in Massachusetts that kids should go to a mosque on a field trip…and the children have the option to participate in Islamic prayers?

7. School boards are choosing textbooks that leave out entire sections of history. Important things.

8. I have witnessed many young children that are unable to even say The Pledge of Allegiance. It is not required for them to recite it on a daily basis at their schools.

9. Many of our country’s children graduate not even being able to read at an adult level…or fill out an application…or answer simple history questions? (Have you ever seen Jay Leno’s, Jaywalking excerpts?) Is it any wonder why perspective employers are shaking their heads?

10. When did this become acceptable?

11. Are we, as a society, like the frogs in the pot? Not realizing that the temperature is being turned up, until we are all boiled?

12. I’m usually not a negative person.

13. But, this is serious business.

14. Don’t get me wrong. There are many great teachers out there.

15. Yet, even a great teacher is shackled to his/her school district’s curriculum. If it is poor curriculum, he/she still must teach it–or face job loss.

16. I know.

17. I taught in the public school system for 17 years.

18. Make no mistake about it.

19. School is not what it used to be.

20. Children of this country ARE learning…but, the question is WHAT? And can we live with that?

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