I am a teacher with the Orange City School district and work with special education students in a unique setting. My classroom is in a locked unit for planned and emergency admits to a residential treatment center. We admit students from all over the state of Ohio who usually are unable to successfully live in the general community. I have worked in this position for the past 6 years and recently applied to a less restrictive setting for the students in the day treatment program...change is good! My students range from K to 7th grade and are always a challenge as they are with me for a short time - a 30 day diagnostic time before they move to their next program.
I am finishing my M.ed program this summer. After taking too many years off to raise my children, I am ready to continue opportunities to increase my knowledge in the teaching of reading for my students. I always thought when the empty nest concept was truly realized, I would have all this time to delve into my interests. I did not realize that life just continues to present more challenges. So, all that time continues to be limited with deaths, births, broken bones, graduations, weddings, and all the fun stuff of life. However, back to reading...this is the skill that opens doors for students and these children are often left behind due to their personal learning styles and issues. If I can ignite a love of learning for these students and figure out what works to spark their minds, then I will have done the job right.
In my spare time, I enjoy riding my bicycle and try to get 1000 miles in during each summer. Unfortunately, due to this class and other commitments, this summer will not be a high mileage season. For those of you who are thinking, why is she riding on the road when there is a path?...and I know you're out there....there are many reasons. I try and follow the rules of cycling and pray and appreciate drivers who do not text and drive! Nothing is worse than watching a car traverse the lane and come towards me with no eye contact and no where for me to go without crashing.
What makes me comfortable in a classroom is an interesting question as I pose this to my ed students regularly and ask them to be reflective in their behaviors and how it relates to their learning. To ask this of myself is quite different and a bit uncomfortable for me in the classroom. It's hard to share personal perspectives because I feel that mine are a little different from most and I sometimes feel that there is a right and wrong way. I am not a proficient speaker and do not always feel comfortable speaking my thoughts. I like working on projects but do not generally like working with others...perhaps this is an age thing or a self-confidence thing?
I do have a negative formative memory from elementary school and it helps me to remember to always be kind to students. When I was in 6th grade, I helped a friend run for the student council by helping to make posters. Unfortunately, I misspelled the word "council" (counsel) and Mr. Sassajima had me stand up during class and berated (for what seemed like a very long time, I might add!) me for this tragic error. I remember the other kids laughing at me...perhaps they were glad it wasn't them. Whatever the case, this scene stayed in my memory and helped me to always help students get through those awkward times in class with a little humor and sensitivity.
Significant issues? There are too many...but the one on my mind at this moment is our very arrogant governor who seems to think that anyone can teach...that teachers are not doing a job that is deemed worthwhile...that most people can walk into a classroom and magically "teach"...that charter schools should be held less accountable for academic statistics but awarded more dollars...that he can make these decisions without ever going into a variety of classrooms and seems to get his ideas from a biased documentary...and that he does not take advice or concerns from his staff. Any comments?
Of course, this is to be the most meaningful class EVER! So far, I like the blog as it gives a voice to the student... I think that would be me! Does anybody really listen? I like the idea of projects but hope that not too much time is required for each task as we all have other commitments.
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