This is a different kind of post then usual. My heart hurts right now. If you have read my profile you will already know that I am a special education teacher (autism) in a high school. I also teach a small special education social studies class. Our school is gearing up for History Day and I was paired up with a young teacher to do the kick off meetings. I was told and confirmed with this other teacher that the kick off was scheduled for tomorrow. He sent me an email today telling me that they had the kick off this past Monday.
Now, I know that I only have ten students, but they are living breathing human beings. They may not be like the typical individual but they want to be included and treated just like everyone else. My heart broke when I told them that we missed the kick off. You see, I love my students and I really love my job. So, when they are excluded and basically treated like second class citizens I take this very personally. As a black woman I know what it feels like to be excluded. So, since I don't want to cry at school I have decided to list the blessing my students are to me.
I am blessed to work with some of the most interesting students.
I am blessed to have students with a very unique perspective on life.
I am blessed to work with students that rarely lie to me, and when they try they do it so badly I kinda smile at their attempt.
I am blessed to work with students who really live in the moment.
I am blessed to work with students who always tell you what's on their mind.
I am blessed to work with students that don't play mind games.
I am blessed to work with students that have taught me as much as I have taught them.
So, now I got to get back to work. I have realized that I can't expect others to love my students like I do, but they will respect them! I'm gonna try to fix this situation and get them to a kick off even if I have to bus them to another school in the district. Until next time...
Blessings!
Documenting my natural hair journey, my life while it's happening, and anything else I want to talk about. Always blessings!
Awww, they are BLESSED to have someone like you to care for them :-)
ReplyDeleteu are a wonderful person!!! thanks for sharing this!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteMy brother has autism and my mom has a hard time trying to convince the special ed department at his school that he needs to be able to mingle with other non-special ed students. They always want the special ed kids to live and be on their own, separate from everyone else. Why does that seem to mimic segregation? This was heartbreaking to read, but I'm happy that there are people out there like you who truly care about them. Thank you for this post!
ReplyDeleteAwwww Jen.....So very sweet of you. They really are blessed to have you as well:-)
ReplyDeleteThank you all. At the end of the day the teacher the dropped the ball is trying to make arrangements with another social studies teacher to schedule another kick off that will include my students.
ReplyDelete@ Precious - I totally agree with you! Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one standing between my students and them being told to "get to the back of the bus". Your mom is right! Encourage her to keep pushing for your brother's right to mix with non-disabled kids.
This kind of stuff just burns me up. Having a specila needs child I always have this concern of him being overlooked.
ReplyDeleteYour students are blessed to have you as their teacher. If you don't advocate for them, no one else will.
Aww, I'm so sorry! Sometimes I see people who are disabled in stores and stuff and I hate it that everyone just stares or completely ignores them. Under that shirt is a beating heart and under the hair is brain, yet too many act like they matter less. I hope you guys can reschedule! The kids deserve it!
ReplyDeleteQuick update - I have rescheduled the kick off for history day for my students with another teacher. He knows how I was treated and has made it his mission to make sure my students are included in everything. Thanks everyone for the support!
ReplyDeleteYou are truly a blessing Jen. I pray that God will continue strengthen you to do what he has called you to do.
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing woman! Thank you for posting this.
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