iep #1

So I'm writing my first IEP (Individualized Education Plan) for an annual review tomorrow. For those of you who didn't know, IEPs are a huge deal in special ed. They are legal documents that are used to drive instruction and assessment for students with exceptional needs. They are one of the main reasons special ed. teachers have higher starting salaries than other teachers.

Anyway, I basically describe the student's current levels in all levels (academic, social, communication, etc.) and write goals for their areas of need. As I write and describe one of the most delightful students in my class, it nearly brings me to tears because of the sheer privilege of being his teacher--to be the one on the receiving end of that bright smile and hug every morning. This is certainly a human enterprise.

I knew this would happen.

It's been three weeks and I simply adore my students.

magnificent

I just ended my first full week of teaching. I have 8 wonderful students. Monday and Tuesday were kind of rough as far as the flow of the day, but once I reworked my lesson plan and allowed more space for flexibility and downtime, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were great.

My first IEP meeting is next Friday and I must say I'm pretty proud of myself for organizing it and getting the team together for it. But I found out that I have two triennial evaluations in October; which in the world of special education, is a very big deal. It consists of a battery of official psychological and cognitive skill assessments that decide what special education services the student receives. To give you an idea of what that means, the other SH teacher I work with told me that she has only had two triennials in her 5 yr career, and I have two tri's in my second month of teaching!

end of week 1!

Have you ever done something that just felt so right? I was so nervous before I started my job, then in the classroom it all felt so natural. It was as if my experience, education, and who I am came together in perfect harmony.

My students are fantastic and my colleagues are so supportive. I couldn't ask to teach in a better environment.

One thing I really love about special education is that while it's kind of a mixed bag, students will take care of each other. Today several students grasped the hands of their peers to help them walk through the halls. And I smiled when one of my students made himself door guardian to prevent wanderers from leaving. It's so great.

Now... planning, planning, and more planning. I know I'm going to make myself very sick of my computer. I'm off and running, especially with my first IEP being due in 15 days!

"It's the truth universally acknowledged, that the moment one area of your life starts going OK another part of it falls spectacularly to pieces." -Bridget Jones

Balance has always been a struggle for me. I've never been very successful at keeping all the plates spinning. Here I am at the beginning of a huge transition and my confidence is nil..... I've come to the uncomfortable realization that in the past year while my outer self has been thriving, my inner self has depreciated.