So many resources!

Sometimes I feel that we limit ourselves too much to this intervention or that. Many teachers want to do as little as possible and change as little as possible about the way they are doing things. This is unfortunate, not only for the teacher, but most definitely for the students we work with. As time goes by and we begin to implement RtI in most schools an individualized education is available to just about every student. By individualizing so many student's education we can become overwhelmed. Understandable. At the same time we must recognize that as a human race, each of us are unique individuals. Given this unique person we all are, there are also many things certain groups of people may have in common such as learning style. This is where small groups come in! But again, even in small groups many teachers tend to resort to what they already know, refusing to expand their knowledge base and experience. Change can be good people! 

As a School Psychologist I am constantly perusing academic research, internet resources, and the latest ideas in how to make the biggest impact for the students I work with. I share them with others and hope that they get as excited about them as I do, but most of them couldn't care less. This is disappointing, but it doesn't stop me from hoping that one day I will find the right resource for the right person, they'll try it out, it will work splendidly, and we'll all be so excited! I've come across some resources that I would really like to share.

Check them out!
- http://www.studiostudio.nl/project-dyslexie/
- http://jumpmath1.org/approach
- http://www.khanacademy.org/
- http://www.autisminternetmodules.org/

It Goes So Quickly

At the beginning of every school year I look out into the future beyond and become hopeful. All this time we have to work with, to make a difference in the lives of others. It doesn't take long for me to get to the point where I feel more like, "Eeek, This year is going by so fast!". Despite the haste of time I feel I have accomplished much in my first year. (Technically my internship...not the first year per se.)

For one thing I was far too busy to sit around and blog about my experiences all the time. That was somewhat disappointing, but at the same time tolerable because hardly anyone reads this yet anyhow. I justified my lack of blog entries with the progress I made at my job and with the kids. Oh! And I accomplished one major thing this spring...GRADUATION! Yes people it's true, I finally made it! I got my Ed. S. May 6, 2011. I finally stand on top of that mountain of time I spent being educated and am excited to jump down into the workforce of educators. And it is in Kansas where I will leave my first mark.

Now I know a lot people wish I would say, "Yes, Kansas was my destiny and I love it here." I could say that, but it would partially be untrue. I do love my job. I love the people I work with and the amazing kids who humble me and inspire me almost every single day. There is a lot to love. However, Kansas just isn't me. I'm not a country bumpkin. I miss the amenities of the city and being around people I can relate to a little bit more. I miss having friends my age and I miss my family. At the same time I feel like I've done great things here and there are so many supporters I have to thank for that. I have been lucky to have administrators go to bat for me this year. I worked in two school districts. One administrator in one of the schools was telling my coop administrators not to place me in their district next year because that person didn't want them to tear me apart (the cultural attitudes in this district are not the most positive especially towards Special Education). That person believed in me and didn't want my spirit for this job to be killed. At my other school administrators were getting on soap boxes (figuratively) to advocate for me to have a position solely in their district.

I didn't get everything I wanted out of my internship, but what I did get out of it wasn't even something I had fathomed. For so long I have been led to believe that I am worthless, stupid, can't do anything right, (thank you D.S.B.) but I found all these things to be false. People really do value what I have to offer. People really do see the passion I have for kids and this job. This is only the beginning! I am so excited to see what the future has to bring.

So this fall I will again come to the beginning of the semester with a bag full of ideas ready to kick it off as soon as possible. I will look toward the future as I try to continue making progress in areas that did not make as much last school year and I will definitely know how to better organize my schedule for meetings this time (One of those very important thing you don't learn in college). On to the "official first year"! This coming school year I start wearing some new hats as the School Psychologist for just one district. I will be serving again on the EMS Building Leadership Team and assisting that building in developing an MTSS framework for the school in the area of reading and math. I will also be able to do more mental health related tasks as I take on the leadership role for the ED Cluster Program Self-Contained Classroom. I am so excited. My job is so rewarding!

Trying To Make a Difference in the Lives of Many

At times my efforts seem futile. As a school psychologist I am sometimes up against barriers that seem unsurmountable.

I haven't blogged as much about my internship as I had originally anticipated, but I've made up for it with the many things I have learned in such a short time.

One of the most profound things I've learned is that administration is much more powerful than I originally thought. I have found that it is the administration who tends to set the tone for the atmosphere of the school they manage. The ideals and attitudes of the powers that be tend to trickle down even so far as to impact significantly the lives and education of the children who attend their school. Administrators set the stage for working relationships among teachers and other staff, how they problem solve influences how smoothly the school will run, and their general demeanor towards others impacts how the rest of the school will act toward each other.

I've had the opportunity to work in two different school districts and they are as opposite each other as up is to down. With the two different schools it is easy to distinguish the differences and where these differences stem from.

The part that breaks my heart the most is seeing how it impacts the children in these schools; their education, their emotional well-being, and their personal values. Now I know I can't blame it entirely on administration as the community around the schools makes its mark as well, but for the most part these children spend a large amount of their life under the influence of those who are educating them. So it is profound.

In schools with poor administration and old school beliefs about special education versus general education, people like me who wish to make a difference tend to feel somewhat helpless in making change. So in the end I have to ask myself..."What small places can I make a difference?" Sometimes it is only in those small, and sometimes very brief moments, that I can make a difference in the life of a child. Like a hug when a child is having a rough day, words of encouragement when a child has accomplished something they struggled with, a simple smile and hello, and sometimes just listening. So I must seize it with vigor and tenderness.

I will end on that note with this very inspirational quote that I think ties in well with the topic of today's blog.


‎"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."~John Wooden

My Mama Always Said There'd Be Days Like These

Today I put my hand in a puddle of pee, got spit flicked at me, last week I got scratched and bit.  There was one student in the office screaming his lungs out, 3 kids in the seclusion rooms beating the crap out of the doors, and I got to be right smack in the middle of it all.  The thing is though, I didn't have a "bad" day per se.  I helped kids today.  I helped one little guy who had an accident, I helped another student calm down from a fit of rage, and I did a kindergarten screening.

I realize this is short, but I've worked my brain so much today that the previous paragraph is all I can come up with.  It also comes with a great big smile and a fullfilling sense of accomplishment.  Who knew I'd ever be happy about accidently putting my hand in a puddle of urine.

1,032 Students is 1,032 Opportunities to Learn

Again I have allowed my blogging times to be too long in between. I've had a lot going on.  By the time I get home and quit working my brain has turned to mush.

I serve 1.5 districts.  One whole district and the elementary/middle school in another.  My base school is the elementary/middle school.  (I call that my happy place.) Combined I serve approximately 1,032 students.    I can sum up some of the most profound things I've learned thus far.

1. I like working in elementary/middle school (E/MS) ages more than high school ages.  The E/MS students (for the most part) already treat you with respect when you walk in the door.  They like you without knowing you and will surprise you with how open they are despite the fact that they don't know you.  High school students hate you the second you walk in and you have to either work hard to earn their respect or just try to avoid them.  I haven't decided which one I plan on doing yet.  I'm afraid that this might be more of a talent than a skill, and I may not have the talent to work well with this age group.  Time will tell......

2. Be careful about what you say, when you say it, and who you're saying it to!  Thus far I haven't stuck my foot in my mouth yet, but I've come close many times.  Let's hope I learn from these almost oopsies.

3. Every morning I hit the ground running and work until I can't work anymore...why?  Because I love this job so much!

4. Systems Change and Buy-In are the most difficult things to get in this job.

There's a lot more I've learned, but honestly I don't want to write that much.  I'm too excited about all this free time I have in the evenings now that I'm on internship! 

Sorry It Has Been So Long

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!

first week and no tearful breakdown

This is definitely a first.  Any first week in my program has always been the hardest, the most overwhelming.  But this week was very different.  Although I have been a bit stressed it hasn't been overwhelming.  I have felt competent and confident.  I've had to go toe-to-toe with an administrator already but it hasn't phased me...yet. 

I made it through the first week.  Today I got a hug from a student.  This is what I do this for.  I really hope I can get more time working with the students. All I've been doing thus far is figuring out the process for each of my 3 schools.  I hope eventually that part will die down and I'll be able to get to know my students better.