Dangerous Jobs

1. Fisherman
2. Logger
3. Farmer/rancher
4. Structural construction worker
5. Sanitation worker
6. Airplne pilot
7. Roofer
8. Coal miner
9. Merchant mariner
10. Miller

Special Education Teacher might not be one of the top ten most dangerous jobs but it might be close.

I love being a special education teacher. It has its ups and downs and occasionally it gets below 'down'. Everyone has bad days but when a child who already has heightened emotions has a bad day, as a special education teacher, you need to pay extra attention to their reactions.  

After some screaming, tears, spitting, things flying through the air and a change of classroom, energy was released and the student was able to talk again. 

It was a little rough in the middle but by the end of the day we were all smiles again. 

Transfer of Knowledge

A few students are learning phonics to help them become better readers. 

Erica learned digraphs today: sh, th, ch, ck. 

Then in science she was taking notes and wrote the word 'Earth'. 

She then called the teacher over and said, 'Look at that digraph in that word, 'th'.'

The ability to take what you learned in one class and use it in another tells a teacher you really do understand! 

Secondary Room

We got a room in the secondary! 

The room is divided up into 5 different areas so 5 students can be learning at the same time. 

 Phonics and English Area

 Math and Phonics Area

Novel Area

And there is a Study Hall Area too

Currently we have 5 students in secondary but I am sure that will grow in no time. 

TAs Learning

This weeks workshop was all about 'Real Life Situations'. 

I took real life situations between students and myself that have happened over the years and wrote them down. The TAs were divided into groups and had to read the situation, act it out and then discuss what is the best way of responding.

For Example: The student you are working with refuses to do any work. 

 For Example: Another student makes fun of a student with special needs. 

 For Example: The student you are working with bits you. 

 For Example: Yesterday the student could count 1-10 but today they cannot recognize 1. 

The Conclusion: Yes there are solutions to these situations but each student is different and requires the teacher to go about it differently.

They Got It! YES! That is Special Education! 

Things change, kids are different - which means you, yourself should change and be different with each kid according to who they are.

Colby

Meet Colby, she is my dog.

A friend of mine was moving back to the US but she could not take her dog with her so I said I would adopt the dog. 

Colby is about 5 years old but has a lot of energy. She loves to run, not very good at fetch but she might get the hang of it one day...

It is nice to have someone run up and greet me when I get home from school :) 

Play

A few of my TAs were in a play. 

Brian is in the suite and Cassandra is kneeling. 

 George is the one in the striped shirt. 

The play was about people being more alike than different so we should humble ourselves be good to everyone. 

The only difference is our similarities. 

A Lunch

I got to go out with some teachers and staff for lunch. 

It was nice to get to know people outside of the school setting. 

Yeah we all work together but to have time to actually get to know each other was kind of nice. 

University

Jackson left for university in Connecticut a month and a half ago. 

Nancy (on left) left for university in Texas a week ago. 

Rina (in middle) is leaving for university in Philly today!   

Teta was accepted to a school right outside Kigali and she started this week. 

George is waiting to hear back from a university in PA but for the mean time is going to attend a school in Kigali. 

Tracy is starting her second term at university in Kenya. 

All of my TAs are growing up right before my eyes.  

New School Year

This was the Second First Day of School in Rwanda. I felt a little more prepared and a little less frantic this time around but still had some butterflies in my stomach.

I started this school year with 7 old TAs, 6 new TAs and of course Bella. 

Patrick, Kudra, Amos, Brian, Allen, Tony

Solomon, Keza, Diana, Vicky, Anah, Cassandra

Antoinette, Bella, and Me

After some training, games, talks and singing...They were definitely ready to start. 

Today went great and now it is for sure, they will make a great team. 

Can't you tell :) 

Professional Development

All of the administration at Green Hills left the busy city of Kigali. We drove about 3 hour up into the mountains.

It was beautiful! 

We drove up into the mountains to learn more about teaching and education. We have speakers from Canada come talk to us. 

To us teachers this was a great opportunity. 

Refugee Camp

Because of the unrest in Congo many people are fleeing.

Some are coming to a refugee camp on the boarder of Congo and Rwanda.

The little white roofs are only one wing of the camp.

There are over 20,000 refugees living here.

Men, women and children fleeing for their lives, unsure of what is in store for them next. Please pray they have hope and for a better future.  

Spring Cleaning

As a special education teacher you use a lot of materials to teach, especially when you teach all levels. 

It might not be spring but my office really needed to be cleaned! 

Anah and Cassandra came to help and now look at the office...

The materials are ready for the school year...Now I have to get ready. 

To Rwanda

Time well spent in the US:

- Family

- Friends

- Sleep

- Chicago

- Zoo

- Horseback Riding

- Batman

It is always hard to leave Chicago but it will be nice to go back to a regular routine and seeing everyone in Rwanda.

Until next time Chicago....See you on Skype

Siblings

I love my brother and sister! 

Mallory and Me

Mason and Me

We had lots of fun.

Lexi

My family from Alaska came to visit. 

This is Lexi. She is 2.

She is getting really good at the Maddy face :D

Babysitter

While I am in that States, Isabella is watching Bella. 

They are getting a long great! 

Training

Elim is a school who serve people with special needs. They have allowed me to come to their school and learn from the teachers, staff and students. 

I have learned different ways to 

 adapt books 

make schedules

allow independence

It has been a great experience. I am very thankful to Elim for allowing me this opportunity. 

Back to Chicago

I flew home to Chicago this week.

After a year of non-stop going. It is nice to sit back and watch the beautiful city walk by. 

I will be home for one month. 

Teacher Assistants

To celebrate the end of the year my TAs and I had a little party. 

Jackson 

Brian, Allen, Solomon, George

Nancy, Teta, Anah, Rina

Cassandra, Keza, Diana, Me, Doreen

Missing: Tracy and Bella 

With some going to college and some getting other jobs, next year is going to look a little different but these TA have paved the way! I will miss this team but excited to see what will be in store next year. 

Apology Accepted

One of my students got very upset and I could not figure out why. After about a half hour of talking loudly and some tears, I was finally able to understand.

When I talking she heard me say she would go first, when I really said she was not going to go first. She could not tell me why she was upset or what she heard but after talking for a while, it all came together.

Once I figured it out, I was able to apologized for saying and doing the wrong thing.

She accepted my apology and we continued to class.

With the territory of being a special education teacher you must be willing to apologize.