Adjusting to the Rhythm

This week has been fairly average, I'd say. Kids were coughing and sneezing in my face; one assistant was gone part time to care for her ill granddaughter who lives with her. We had substitutes who proved rather useless except as warm bodies. One sub had never been in a sped room, and had no idea what a sped preschool was like. She mostly sat/stood back in amazement watching it all happen. She was interested in learning more and asked a lot of questions afterward. She's about my age.

I've been fighting my annual October sinus infection that usually goes to bronchitis/pneumonia, so I explored the offices of an OH doctor this morning and got some antibiotics to keep from getting more ill....hopefully. You know how it is, you just keep going and going and going....(Can you hear the Energizer Bunny's drum?)

I guess the biggest adjustment that I'm learning is to get into the 'rhythm' of the place. Most teachers I work with come in early (about 7:30 a.m.) to do paperwork, and then leave as soon as classes are over in the afternoon (between 3:30-4:00 p.m.) I have always felt I worked best starting later in the morning and working on paperwork after classes are done, but I am exhausted at the end of the class day and just want to get out of there. So I've been trying to adjust my sleep schedule to earlier in the evening to get up earlier. Well, I've done that, but end up puttering around home and only getting to work about 15 minutes earlier! Maybe its a slow change.

Adjusting to this rhythm, I've decided, is stressful, yet needed. I'd lived so long in the fast paced city, it is hard to adjust to the different pace of a small town. For example, yesterday I left work at 4 pm and went to the DMV to get my WA driver's license. Noticing a sign that said 'Cash or Checks Only,' I muttered to myself and left, as I did not have my checkbook with me. I argued with myself on the way home as to whether I would have time to get my license if I went back, but decided to give it a try. After picking up my checkbook at home, I returned to the DMV in less than 15 minutes. Instead of taking a number, the guy at the desk says, 'Come on up', waving me forward. (There were No other customers and two, yes, two license examinee/workers.) By 4:40 I had my new WA temp license, had visited about Colorado (Seems everyone has someone who's been there or lives there), and joked about relatives. You know, the small talk stuff. Now, where, in the big city, could you do all that in 40 minutes? It would have taken me at least 40 minutes just to get to the DMV in the first place!

In the big city, Quiet did not come until late in the evening; here 'downtown' closes at 5:00 and the larger chains close at 9 p.m. There is not much noise. People settle in for the night earlier. On weekends, Friday night high school football games are the big thing of the season for the town and the field is close enough to my place I can hear some of the game highlights announced if the wind is right. In the big city, I could hear and see fireworks from downtown on holidays. Similar, I suppose. But overall, the general 'air' of the place is not as frantic. I appreciate that at my age.

There are Navy activities, too, in town and some things intertwine with those of the 'civilian' part of town(such as funding :o), but I haven't figured all that out yet.

I do have to plan ahead to go clothes shopping off the island or do it online (and I never seem to find those bargains with little or no shipping costs!) I understand there is a big mall about 20 m. N on the freeway and then one just off the island that is fairly large. So sometime in the near future I will be checking those out to get some things I need.

Life has settled into a routine. Even Lilo has decided she likes the place and every time I open the door with a few seconds to spare, she is no longer afraid to go out on the landing and check out every corner. Then she rolls around all over it.....actually marking her territory, I think. It is very interesting to see how she is braver here than when in the big city with all the traffic noises and loud voices from the businesses close by.

Take care. I hope you take time to calm and soothe your soul from the frantic pace.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

I've had IFSP meetings, IEP meetings, special group parent meetings, home visits, evaluation results meetings, but never been on the 'teacher' side of a parent-teacher conference in the school setting. I had to prepare myself by being still and thinking about the process from the parent's point of view. I reflected on past experiences with parents who have to deal with their children with special needs. Then I dug way into my past, as a parent of a preschool-aged child myself, and tried to remember all those hopes and dreams I had way back then for the precious little live energy 'balls' rolling, bouncing and flying around me 24/7.

Then I met with parents of my students. All but two attended their meetings. I felt positive about all of them at the end, but wondered what the parents left with. One mother entered and looked very tired; she quietly cried while we talked, but never really revealed any immediate distress point to me and was smiling and laughing at stories she told about her child. I decided not to pry at this point. If her tears are related to her child, it will come out over the year. Her child is new in my class, but actually settling in well.

I have 3 new kids entering my classes next week. They are all quite hyperactive, impulsive, distractable. You know the type. I have very few girls, but they have interesting little quirks.

I've come to love each and every child, even though some have tried my patience within millimeters of my highest toleration/frustration levels!

I had time between/after visits, to actually organize paperwork, finish some bulletin boards, make more Boardmaker schedules and set up a calendar for circle time. My curriculum for the next couple of weeks is pretty well set except for getting with my assistants to get art projects ready and figure out what concept materials to put out.

I brought home student info to set up data sheets...........Can you believe it? I'm actually making hard copy data sheets!!!! No more sticky notes.....Well, we'll see if the data sheets work. I showed them to my assistants and they seemed to think they were okay.

I am also getting the final nursing protocols in place and an emergency book finalized. It is interesting that there is no Health/ER form like we had at the ESD. What we have is a 'Transportation Form' that includes ER information, but I don't think it has as much good info on it.

I had considered coming to River City this weekend but decided not to, as I will finally have time to work on putting more boxes away at home and I am fighting a cold. My classroom is finally in working order and I have flushed through all the piles of paper that had piled up there since I arrived. Now I have big piles at home to go through! The bills have arrived!

If you have sunshine, take a walk and enjoy the fall weather before the gray skies and rain settle in for the winter!

A Week in the Life...

I must be getting near retirement or ready for another career change. At this point, I seem to be mostly looking forward to the weekends, when I have time to get things done on my own schedule, not someone else's. If I want to take a break, a nap, or whatever, I can. I don't have to chase preschoolers, redirect their hitting and biting behavior, help them go to the bathroom, wipe their noses, absorb screams, sneezes, coughs, or redress them when they feel clothing is too restrictive on the playground. I also don't have to convey my concerns with tact, create new curriculum, coexist as a team, conform to administrative rules or convince parents to keep their children home when they are ill. Such was my week.



And now about my life outside work. This week I attended two evening meetings about autism and was going to join a computer class, but opted out of the class at the last minute. I've been fighting a cold for a week and I was pretty tired.

I have had interesting surprises in my short time here. Shortly after I arrived, I ran into a couple with whom I had been close friends in college! It was great to see them after all these years! Today, I ran into my ex's post-divorce girlfriend. She was very friendly and chatty. She and her friends were on an island hopping vacation. This must be a place to 'pass through' for lots of vacationers. Who knows who else I may see?

On my walk this evening, the local kingfisher was on his favorite rock by the water, waiting for supper. Kingfishers are hilarious to watch hit the water to catch fish. You'd think they'd be sleek, right? No, they just wing flap right into the water, sort of like a bird bellyflop! A few herons were searching the low tide for treats and I surprised (what I think I've identified as) a sharp-shinned hawk sitting on a limb of a tree close to the sidewalk.

Yesterday it was foggy till about 2:30 in the afternoon, then was sunny again. Today it was cloudy and sprinkly, but not cold or windy, so I felt good walking. Since I've been walking more, I haven't been going to Curves very often, but when the bad weather comes, I'll head over there regularly.....I've promised myself!

What have you promised yourself?

Honeymoon Over...

After reviewing my last post, it all sounded a little too idyllic, didn't it? The honeymoon is over. Bumps in the road and all that.

My assistants are griping and complaining.
I'm griping and complaining!
I don't like the fact that most of my students have autism....that is not my forte.
I've made some serious errors; have apologized and started over.

My assistants and I continue to learn more about each other and, despite our ups and downs, are melding into a good team.

A vision specialist is scheduled to come, FINALLY!

We had school pictures yesterday. I had to sit under the camera and sing songs and perform fingerplays of choice and hold favorite 'fidget's just out of reach to get the kids to smile.......I feel for families of kids with autism who try to have portraits taken!!!!!!!! If I had to stop and think about it, I would be embarrassed about all the antics I performed....part of the job, isn't it!?

I bought a cheap pressboard cabinet to put our snacks in. Previously, they had just run to the adjoining "kitchen" to get them at the last minute. Very untimely! The assistants even commented about how nice it was to have snack ready beforehand! I was flabbergasted!

My director met me for dinner the other night before we both attended a computer class. Being as distrusting as I am, I wondered if the invite was politically or friendship motivated. My gut tells me it was mostly political. The computer class will help me fill in those missing links for the Microsoft programs I know just enough about to make it frustrating to do a project in a short time.

I received my Boardmaker program at school (HOORAY!). It is a new version that is a bit different, so I've had to learn a few new tricks, but there are GREAT new pictures on it. My version is for Windows, so unfortunately, the lovely CDs JD sent do not work. I'm bummed about that. If I had Boardmaker on my home MAC, I probably could get them to work, but that isn't high priority on my financial list.

Speaking of finances. If any of you receive an offer on a job, get the salary offer ON PAPER. I learned the hard way. All I got were apologies. I think I may come out about even by the end of the year when/if I move again. There's not much to spend money on here. Walmart and KMart, the two big stores, get boring pretty fast. Home Depot doesn't hold much for me. Shopping by internet is fun, but somehow doesn't hold the same addiction for me! >grin< And most of the stores close about 6-7 o'clock in the evenings and earlier on weekends!

I just filled the gas tank for the second time since I've moved here......aren't you jealous? I've driven around town, too, and not really limited myself in that regard. I've taken two longer jaunts down the island about an hour's drive from here to see the scenery. It's beautiful countryside.

Frustration mounts as I weekly take my laundry to the laundromat. The onproperty laundry facility here is filthy and has only 1 of 2 wash/dry sets in working order. If I offer to clean them, I'm sure they'd love it, but wouldn't fix it up in any way. I've definitely picked a 'slumlord,' even though there is a property manager.....not on sight. She's nice enough, but definitely doing what the landlord wants.....which is as little as possible to accommodate his tenants. That's the next letter I write today!

My Lilo-cat is much more calm and playful here and the nighttime quietude has definitely helped me sleep better! During waking hours, it is more frustrating however, as my middle floor apartment gets the pounding vibrations of the rock music below me. That tenant does try to be respectful in turning it down when I ask, however, and doesn't play it past 10 p.m.

I have been able to walk a couple nights a week....when I don't collapse on the couch. I've also started back at Curves on a bit more regular basis. Until today, the weather has been sunny, or partly sunny. It is raining and dark today, but that's okay.

I've determined to keep my apartment heat off as long as possible. I'm wearing sweatshirts and t-shirt when I'm at home, with that extra blanket on the bed. The heat may have to be turned on soon! Of course, the heat in the classroom has come on full force! Combine 8 preschoolers, 80 F temperature, and 3 women with their own personal power surges and you've got insanity! So Friday, I finally got them to turn down our classroom thermostat. Whew! Wipe my brow! The adjoining classroom keeps their heat on enough for both of us!

I've developed a bit of a cold which I am trying to keep at bay. It is usually this time of year that I get bronchitis and/or pneumonia, despite the home remedies. I haven't found a doctor here yet, but just received my new health insurance cards, so at least that is in place! I hear that the vision insurance is really good, so I think I'll go for new glasses. I'm up for them, timewise.

I haven't had time to get my car licensed or driver's license changed over. Monday is the day I could sneak away early and of course, that is the day those offices are closed! Yes, there are separate buildings and offices for vehicle licensing and driver's licensing!


No, I didn't feel any of the 4.5 magnitude earthquake from Mt. Rainier yesterday.

Well, now to the laundromat. Life is daily.