Monday, March 21, 2011

Take Your Blogger to Work Day

(**I'm linking up with Gina from Hiyaluv for "Take Your Blogger to Work Day"!)




Other than a few awkward years in third and fourth grade when I wanted to be an actress so I could marry Brad from Home Improvement, I've always known that I would be a teacher.

As the oldest of three children, I've always been: 1) bossy, and 2) really bossy. So telling other children what to do all day just seemed like a natural fit!

I'm kidding. Sort of.

But I am the child of two teachers, in a family of teachers. It's in my blood and I think that from a young age, I knew better than to fight it.

In high school, I was challenged to think about what kind of children I wanted to teach. And because of my fascination with language learning and acquisition, I went into oral deaf education. That means that I teach language to children with hearing loss through listening and speaking. All of my students wear hearing aids or cochlear implants. I don't use sign language! (although I wish I knew more, just for fun!)

I am one of those incredibly blessed people who can say that they are doing their dream job! (Right now I'm teaching first grade and I love this age!) Sure, I have my share of rough days... days when the administration seems like they're TRYING to make me fail, days when I feel discouraged, days when I need to step away from my students to calm down. But there are all those other days.... days when the kids make me smile, when they finally "get it", when I get to channel my creativity into planning engaging lessons and making materials.

Also? June, July, and August. Just sayin'!

Being a special education teacher also gives me some special skills:
  • I can say things like: "You don't have to pull your pants all the way down to pee" with a straight face.
  • I know what the word "diphthong" means.
  • I can tell immediately when a kid hasn't had his meds.
  • I know if there's going to be a full moon without ever looking outside.
  • I have a large bladder.
  • From down the hall and around the corner, I can tell when someone's brought goodies to the teacher's lounge.
  • I can run in my heels after a kid who's decided he'd like to play outside instead of do his work in the classroom.
  • I can make a 27 page legal document understandable to a parent.
And finally....
  • I know how to make almost any activity educational! See pictures below for proof :)

20 comments:

  1. What a wonderful job. My Mom was a Special Education teacher for severely and profoundly handicapped children for many years, then moved into preschool with developmentally delayed, and autistic children. Amazingly rewarding. I loved your special skills list :o).

    I joined Gina's blog hop too. I'm #1 My Toy Store. I hope you stop by and visit.

    ~Chrissy

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  2. Thanks for sharing, Sarah! This is a great post & great idea Gina :)

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  3. This is a great post! I love hearing about fellow artists 9-5 and it usually reveals a lot about them. I have so much respect for teachers and what you do is so amazing to me. Kudos and thanks for sharing!

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  4. this is such a lovely post. yay for you! :D

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  5. Sarah! What a fantastic post. My sister had hearing loss and speech problems when she was an elementary school so I have a big appreciation for the work you do for those children. Hope you have a great day back to school :)

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  6. How awesome that you are doing your dream job! It sounds challenging and fun :D Good for you!

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  7. Great post Sarah!!!

    Working with special needs preschoolers I totally get your "special skills"
    :-D

    Happy Monday!

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  8. I love this. isn't crazy how you can tell if theres going to be a full moon or the weather is about to change by the kids behavior. (i taught preschool) hahaha
    xxOO

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  9. you my luv are a rockstar! I adored this post:) so fun to learn about you!!! :)gina

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  10. I have a special place in my heart for teachers. I enjoyed reading about you and am so glad Gina is hosting this fun blog hop. I am now following you!

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  11. Oh heck ya Brad! He was a stud!! And I am so envious of your summers off!

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  12. Such a great post Sarah! I really enjoyed reading it. Firstly, thank you for expanding my vocabulary... oh yes indeed, I googled "diphthong" :D

    What an awesome and rewarding job you have. Sounds like you love what you do too.

    I found you through Gina's Take Your Blogger to Work Day project (I'm on there too).

    This is a blast.

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  13. awww what a great and rewarding job!!

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  14. What an amazing job you have and to have your dream job too!

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  15. I had no idea that you taught children with special needs! What a fantastic lady you are :) This was a great post. Enjoyed getting to know more about you.

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  16. Awesome! My school is the DCPS hub for oral def-ed kids in elementary school! For the last 7 years I've had mainstreamed HI kids in my gen ed class. I love it! I might love my Britney Spears headset even more though, hehe just kidding! :)

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  17. Thanks for sharing! I always enjoy hearing that a person loves their job - I bet you are awesome with the kids!!

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  18. How fun! You are definitely a great person to take on the challenge :) Thanks so much for sharing!

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  19. That's awesome! What a wonderful, rewarding job that must be. I understand the "having to walk away" for a minute. I have to do that with my "students" as well. What a blessing you must be to those children and their families.
    Keep up the great work!!
    ~Amy

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  20. This post made me laugh out loud. I taught kindergarten for 3 years before I went on "extended maternity leave." I've been out for 5 years now. I so understand your list and can totally relate. I volunteer now in my kids' classrooms and I still know when there's a full moon or it's been a really windy day!! Thanks for sharing with us.

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