It has been exactly one week since the last time I posted. I apologize. I have been fairly exhausted by the time I get home at night. Working in three schools keeps me busy for sure...one in particular, VERY BUSY.
I have to say first of all that when I worked in Nebraska I thought they were behind the times....then I moved to Kansas. Now don't get me wrong there are a few positives, like Lawrence, KS and it's pretty here. People are nice for the most part... when they're not trying to convert you to their religion. It's been an experience to say the least. But what surprised me the most was how behind they are in how things are supposed to be done these days with regard to general education and special education. In Kansas (or at least in some of the schools I work in) children should be seen and not heard, be seated at all times, always be paying attention, be still when seated, recess is something that is earned for good behavior, students who struggle in any subject can only receive additional services if they have a special education label, oh and some schools even have seclusion rooms (which are not used for what you might think, or at least what I thought).
The seclusion room thing really floored me. When I first saw them I thought, "Wow, I wonder what kind of students they have here that they would need something like that for." I thought it would only be used for students who really fly off the handle and run the risk of hurting others (either intentionally or unintentionally) or hurting themselves. I was wrong. No, these rooms are for punishment. The kids get put in there when they don't listen, when they are running around the room and climbing under tables (which surprisingly enough did not even disturb the other students in the classroom, nope, just the adults). Things are very "traditional" down here and in that sense I mean the 20th century..."refer, test, place"..."wait to fail" way of doing things.
The good thing though is that I work for a separate entity. I am not an employee of the schools I work in per se. I am employed by an outside service provider that is mainly funded by grants and such. Our mentality and beliefs about the way things should be done are much more progressive (thank heavens, or I never would have taken this job). Also, I think it's kind of exciting. It's definitely going to be challenging, but I love that part about it. Because in the end, hopefully, I can turn around and see that there has been change; that I influenced that change in some small way...hopefully. Two out of my three schools are really getting closer to making that change. I'm so excited to be a part of it. I really hope I can help them...if they are willing to accept it that is. I think most of them are.
Thus, it's been a very busy beginning and probably will continue to be that way. But I am thrilled to have these experiences because I am always learning. I love my job!
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