Strip Poker (week1)

When you enter into the world of Autism... the is no turning back.

My first week...happened, with they typical shocks and surprises. It was great seeing my boys from last year as the effects of puberty cause them to sound like men and tower over me - where is my newly 6th graders are little plump pre-pubesent boy who are quiet and shy just starting middle school.

To my surprise on top of teaching or co-teaching 6 ESE Social Communication classes (Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts) I am also teaching 1 Supportive Behavior class for Social Personal... These two groups of students have NOTHING in common... where my kids with autism are set in their ways, sweet innocent, and quirky... my SB students think they are tuff and straight out of the ghetto- my SB class consists of 9 big black boys and 2 white boys...never a dull moment.

So to sum up my first week:

-I already made a boy cry
-I have a eccentric mother who emails me at least 4+ times a day
-On of my SB students got pulled from class because he had a warrant...

Those are the highlights but as i said there is NEVER a dull moment...

Case In Point:

During free time today I was playing WAR with on of my students, we were into the game and having fun when another student comes up to me as says "Ms. Sullivan its a good thing you are not playing strip poker..." I was taken back and asked him to repeat himself, which he continued to state "Its good you are not playing strip poker". Not knowing what to say I told him "we are not allowed to play poker in school". "Yes I know Ms. Sullivan, it is especially good that we cannot play strip poker". I eventually asked the student if he knew what strip poker was? He responded "It is where you play poker and every time you louse you must remove an article of clothing." At this point my mouth, my para's mouth, and another teacher's are all hanging open. We later learn that he obtained all this info online... hahahaha

Never a dull day! :)

1st Week Crazies...

OMG!
I've only been back two and I am already fighting to catch up. I feel like 3 days are not even nearly enough time for me to have my room ready in time for open house. My room is finally STARTING to resemble a classroom... but I still have quite a lot more to do.

In addition to my classroom I still have to:
-Start my lesson plans
-Write my Syllabus
-Do my website
-Get my students' stuff together
-Take tests and attend in school services

...and that is my short (not detailed list) lol.

I would write more, but I'm tired and have so much more work to do.

On another note- I have already received 2 emails form a parent who's child I have yet to meet.

So Many Questions

3 More Days and most of my questions will finally be answered.

Who will I be working with?
How many students will I have?
What levels will they be at?
What will I be teaching?
Will they like me?
When can I start planning my lessons?
What will the parents think of me?

I feel when I finally get my folder on Wednesday of my students a huge weight will be lifted from my shoulders because I can finally start planning, organizing, and preparing a fun, safe, creative space for my new and returning students.

At the same time I am excited to get back to work, back to my crazy days, stressful nights, and busy weekends; with those I know I will also be receiving my favorite hugs, warming smiles, and joyful laughter. And in the end it is always worth it. I can't wait for my mornings to begin with "Good Morning Ms. Sullivan!"

So many thing have happened and changed in the last year, I am in a better place and I am so thankful to those closest to me.

This will be an amazing school year!!!  

The Countdown has begun...

8 More Days until teachers need to go back to school, and 15 more days until the students return. I am actually excited to go back to work, this has been my 1st summer off since High School and to be honest... I'm board. I've already gone back to visit my classroom and started decorating. My theme for this year is...(wait for it)....(drum roll)... SUPER HEROS!!!!! Yes, I know- I will have one of the coolest classrooms this year.

This will be my second year teaching full-time and I am still filled with so many questions and of course I have OCD and want to be completely prepared for the 1st day of school. Oy Vay! How many students will I have? What are their levels? What will I be teaching? Are they on FCAT?

Then when Open House comes...hahahah. It's interrogation time for me especially because I am 5'2" and do not look old enough to be teaching - I can still pass for a high school student :/
I will get the typical questions "What experience do you have?" (the sugarcoat way of asking -HOW OLD ARE YOU?!?!)

But all in all I am excited to go back and see the teachers and staff, my students from last year, meet my new students for this year, and know that everyday will be a new adventure.