Special Education Teacher

I often get the question, "How's work going?" And its crazy how such a question can bring on so many different emotions. If I were being 100% honest...work isn't going great. I don't know how to give people an idea of what my work days look like, but I'm going to try.

To start my day one of my students with Down syndrome comes and I work with him and his aide on different things. He is very fun to work with. But some days, he decides he doesn't want to work with me. He pushes me out of the classroom and tells me, "NO!" Those days my feelings get a little hurt. Or when things are going well, in the middle of our time together another aide will pop their head in to tell me another student is misbehaving and needs my help. So then I have to leave and that makes me sad to miss this time with this student. If I'm pulled away it is because a student is refusing to comply, listen, work, be quiet, etc. Sometimes the student is having a meltdown and the teachers need my help to calm the student down. Although working with these students comes naturally for me for the most part, it is still exhausting to remain calm and collective when a student is yelling, throwing things, destroying classrooms or hurting themselves.  It take a lot of focus to not lose my cool and start crying with the student. So...if something like this happens at the very start of the day...I'm totally exhausted the rest of the time. It is considered a miracle day if there is not at least one type of meltdown that has happened.

My next student I work with is very tricky. He is full of energy and often becomes aggressive (physically or verbally). It is hard to get him to stay focused on a task, and sure takes up my energy!

The next couple hours I get to spend with are 2 students with severe cognitive abilities. I have a lot of fun with them, but sometimes one of them will be in a "bad mood." This "bad mood" will look like: talking back to the teacher, refusing to do work, saying mean things to others, complaining about everything and anything, etc. This student is full of sass and it can be cute at times...and not so cute for other times. This time is usually interrupted for me to go assist other students who are having a hard time. Again, I have to help these students through their meltdowns, which makes me exhausted.

My last official class is a Social Skills class. This class is full of some quirky personalities. Some days the discussion and the lessons go great. Other days its a complete mess. I never know what to expect with this group.

The last part of my day is spent with my behavior kiddos. I try to make the rounds and see how they are doing in their classes. Often times my "prep" turns into spending time with a student and making sure they don't have a meltdown.

I forgot to add that during any free time I'm working on IEP's (paperwork) and testing students for eligibility for Special Education. Lately I have no free time.

But despite all this craziness...I love these students. I get very emotional thinking about the amazing spirits these students are and how much Heavenly Father loves them. Sometimes I literally feel like I'm in battle for these kids. I'm not always the teacher other teachers want to hear from, and I sure am not winning any popularity contests...but I will fight for these kids. I want to make sure that they feel wanted and loved while at school.

So how is work going? Work is going. It is hard, but I have to believe it is worth it. The day I stop believing that is the day I stop showing up to work. I am seriously grateful for the people I do work with that make this job just a little bit easier, I couldn't do it without them! For whatever reason, this is where I'm supposed to be. It is hard for me to always see why, but I try to focus on my students and do what little I can do for them one day at a time.

2014 Thoughts

2014 will probably go down as one of the biggest years of my life. Here are just some of the major things that took place:

• I graduated from college. Took 6 years, but I did it. I have a degree that I'm actually using. It feels like such a huge accomplishment. I did not know exactly where my education would bring me, but it brought me to a place that I continue to learn new things every day--and I love it! Student teaching sucked. I hated it. It was an awkward situation that I wish on no one. I hated having to "be in charge" of another person's classroom. I was supposed to implement my teaching and rules in the middle of the year with a class full of students who still looked at their teacher as the one in charge. I was also recovering from ACL surgery and was on crutches for a good portion of it. It was stressful and my confidence was low. I loved my students, but had mixed feelings if I was to really be a Special Education Teacher. I started to think of a plan B. What could I do with my degree instead of teaching? Then I finished in April and started applying to jobs. I so badly wanted to teach in a High School self-contained class. I applied to over 8 positions. Had about 6 interviews. And got no calls, no offers. I was feeling pretty crushed. Each interview made it harder. Then one day I got a call for an interview for a Charter school in Springville. Wasn't the ideal location, or the ideal job. But I took the interview. They offered me the job on the spot. I was shocked. I went home and prayed. I didn't really want the position, but I needed the job. I was getting married and we needed the income. And so far all the high school positions had been filled. I had the feeling I should take the job. I haven't once regretted that decision. Working at Reagan Academy has been amazing. Everyone talks about how hard the first year of teaching is, but I love it. I love my co-workers, my students and the school. My confidence is back and I feel very good about my decision to become a Special Education teacher.
• As many of you know, in December 2013 I tore my ACL playing soccer. This turned into surgery, that took me out from playing soccer for a whole year. I'm still not back, but am working on playing very soon. Through this experience I have become very grateful for my body. I missed being active and being able to hike, run and do a lot of summer activities this year. Our bodies are amazing. I'm grateful that I get to play soccer again! It has been a very long year without it. 
• I got married. Probably the biggest thing that happened this year by far and the best. The best advice I could give anyone is marry your best friend. Just last night Bryson and I stayed up til 2 am just talking. I felt like a little girl at a sleep over that didn't want to go to sleep because she was having such a fun time talking. I have never laughed so much in my life since Bryson entered into it. We are super poor, and live paycheck to paycheck but we make it just fine. When I think of Christmas this year, I realize I already have gotten the best present and don't feel a need for anything more. Bryson is such a blessing in my life. He listens to my vents of the day, he holds me when I cry for stupid reasons and he is there to make me laugh at any time of the day.

I feel very blessed this year. I know this time of my life is very unique, and I'm trying to enjoy each moment of it!

Married Blog

I started a new blog for my husband and I. I plan to still keep this one, but will probably update the other one more. If you are following me here, follow me at my new blog too! The address is: 

http://brysonandstacy.blogspot.com/

Marry Me

Baby is it time to set the date
I'm shaking and my heart can hardly wait
And everybody wants to know the fate
Of this forever
You can wear a suit and I'll wear white
We'll make your mom and daddy dance all night
Underneath the stars that shine so bright
When we're together
And at the end of that day
With the rice on the floor and the friends gone away
All that will matter to me is you
It's meant to be
Marry me

("Marry Me" by Cherie Call)

 

June.

I can't believe it is June, and I get married this month. It has always felt like it would never come, but here we are 10 days away from our happy wedding day.

Sometimes it still feels surreal, and like I will wake up from this beautiful dream. I feel so lucky. I have found my best friend, and he loves me.

7 months ago, if you had asked me to predict what was to happen I would have been so off. I even cut my hair in December thinking, "I'm not getting married anytime soon, so I have time to grow my hair back out." Now, I can't even imagine my life without Bryson.

Most of you know that a couple weeks ago I found out I have mono. There was about 9 days I basically didn't leave my bed. It was pretty miserable. But you know who got me through it? Bryson. He stayed with me in the ER, he rubbed my back when I threw up and he came and hung out with me when I couldn't do anything. I got a glimpse of how he will continue to take care of me the rest of our lives. I cannot wait to marry this man.

I just had to share a photo from our pre-wedding day photo shoot. I told myself I wouldn't share any of these till we were married...but oh well. Enjoy the sneak peek:

143

On Monday, Bryson and I were on my couch talking. It was just past midnight. He grabbed his phone frantically and quickly went to his app that is counting how many days we have seen each other in a row.

He then stood up and said, "I have to go to my house real fast." He immediately started walking to the front door. I quickly, followed and said, "Wait, can I come with you?" He said, "Oh yes, come with me!"

So we rushed over to his house. I had no idea what the heck was going on. I was laughing and giggling like a little girl. I just am so in love with him, and find everything he does adorable. Especially when he is frantic and excited.

We get to his house, and he runs up to his room. He comes down with an envelope and gives me this:

He then went on to explain that today was our 143rd day of seeing each other. He had found this a month ago and saved it for this day. The number 143 means I LOVE YOU.

Could I ask for a more romantic guy? I feel so lucky. And so loved.

Today marks 144 days of seeing each other in a row and 30 days left til we seal the deal.

Bryson

I love this man so much. He has yet to disappoint me. He goes above and beyond to make me happy. I feel so lucky I get to marry him and call him my husband for time and all eternity.

Yesterday I graduated from BYU. It was a big milestone in my life, and Bryson had told me he had a class he couldn't miss. However, he surprised me and came! While I was waiting to get seated I got a Snapchat of him sitting by my parents! I wanted to cry. He just is so thoughtful and loving. I couldn't ask for a more perfect man for me.

June 12th cannot come soon enough!!! 47 days left and I'm so excited.