Today's reading: The Tool Belt as School Policy by Ira School

Reflective Thoughts: I can connect many reasons on why I choose to be a special education teacher. But the biggest reason is because I love to learn. I struggled all through all my years of schooling. I carried a label on learning disabled. This label did nothing for me besides allowed me to take standardized tests with "accommodations." The public school district received more money by having another pupil receiving 'services.' The only service I receive was not reeving services. I loved to learn. I wanted to learn. My parents were actively seeking ways to full fill my curious young mind.

Once I became a sophomore in high school and working towards preparing for college (physical therapist or music therapy were career choices then) I knew I needed to find ways to improve some skills. My reading decoding level was around early "3rd grade." My parents felt in order for me be successful in a post secondary school my reading level would need to improve. They searched for help.
I was tested (yet some more) through the Michigan Dyslexic Inc. and began receiving reading instruction through MDI using the Orton-Gillingham method. For me, that is what I needed too. I rememeber driving home from MDI after around 4 of direct instruction 2x a week and for the first time "reading" (decoding) the billboards. It was as if my phonemic awarness notch in my mind had begin to turn on. The feeling of I get it was so powerful. I continued to recieve tutoring and practiced 'phonic drills' with my parents daily. I began to do my own research on Dyslexia too. It was and still is so very intresting to me; how the brain learns, and reasons why each individual precieves things differently. Durring my research somewhere I learned that the news paper was written at a 5th grade reading level. Also all state and federal laws are written at a 5th grade reading level. That became my goal. I remeber talking to my mom one day telling her if I could read at a 5th grade reading level then I'd be ok. As any mother would do she supported me and told me I'd be successful at anything I wanted to do. (Moms can be great like that -smiles-)
I remeber the school evaluating me (as they have to ever 3 years) my seniour, and their reaction. Durring my IEP meeting the special education teacher was rambling off grade levels for math and so on. When she got to reading I interupted her. I told her I didn't care what "grade level" my score was. I just needed to know if it was at or above 5th grade. I can still see her smile as she so proudly (of her self) told me it was infact above 5th grade. By the time I graduated from high school my reading level was above 5th grade.
I continued to research on my own what it means to have a "learning disability." Many of the 'accommodations' I read about were the same things I disovered on my own while trying to surive in the school systems. It was then I decided I wanted to teach the "ticks of the trade" as I liked to say. How to surive the school system when your learning style doesn't catter to 'tradition.'

Today, after remebering the above...I ask my self what am I doing? How have I already let the reason why I'm teacher and more importantly things I'm teaching slip away? I'm sure I can think of many excusses. However the issue is I am learning how to use my new tools to teach some of the old and new tools to my students. As long as I keep working towards my orginal intention in educating then nothing has sliped away. I'm learning how to work the tools so everyone can reieve the tools.

And as long as I can honestly say that each and everyday I have made progress towards that Im happy. And so far, even with the many challenges I am presented with, everday has been better than the day before way or another. There is light at the end of the day.

-venting-
It is late Sunday night and I can't help but wonder if I'm ready for challenges of tomorrow. Tomorrow, Monday is just another day at school/work. I will meet my second aid of the year, the new 7th and 8th grade Social Studies teacher and the new 7th grade English Language Arts teacher. It will also be the social worker's long term sub first day.

I have written my lesson plans. I have created additional accommodation for the lesson plans I have received from the current teachers. I have brain stormed 'morning meeting' activities to practice during a week of change...and transitions.
-venting-

The Best Have Yet To Come.

After reading different blog postings on Special Education such as postings from SpeEdChange by Ira David Socol am rediscovering / redefining myself. Does it matter how relabel the source? No. I am asking questions connected to more questions. An endless cycle connecting past, current, and future knowledge while always rediscovering myself and the world.

I plan to post my thoughts to other educational related fields articles, web sites, books, and blog posts.

At times there may be posts relating to my current teaching position. However, my focus is to document issues in special education (including other's interpretation) and how it may connect to my philosphy of education; philosphy of learning; philosphy of teaching. My philosphy on everyone is special.