Monday, April 16, 2001
Substitute Teachers' Meeting
Open Forum
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Related Links
Janet/AR's Site
others
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8020/subtips.html
http://www.av.qnet.com/~rsturgn/
Related Books
Substitute Teaching : A Handbook for Hassle-Free Subbing
Super Sub : A Must-Have Handbook for Substitute Teachers
Substitute Teachers Meet the 3rd Monday of each Month
Janet/AR/host - Welcome to the Sub Teachers Meeting.
Stanley - Are both of you on vacation, or has that already been completed for you?
Janet/AR/host - Christina are you a sub?
Christina - Yes, a rather new one, too
Janet/AR/host - Mine is over Stanley. Stanley have you been reading any of my posts?
Janet/AR/host - Well Christina we are here to help. Is there anything you would like to ask?
Stanley - I took Good Fri -- only about 10% of my schools were working then. Otherwise, that was it...
Stanley - Janet, posts on the MainBoard? I've not been there much recently... 
Janet/AR/host - Stanley, yes on the main board.
Stanley - Christina, trust us: It gets easier as you go along... Experience is HUGE in subbing, don't ya' think, Janet?
Janet/AR/host - Yeppers, I sure do Stanley!
pambre - I was told when I started that it took 10 years to learn to sub.
Christina - That's good. What types of things do you take to school with you?
Janet/AR/host - Stanley I am looking for a job again. School is making the classroom sizes bigger in hopes of making money!
pambre - Janet- I am sorry about job.
Stanley - Janet, I'm puzzled... so you lacked seniority & got cut???
Stanley - Christina, I'm a minimal person: Take a couple of read alouds & a good nature video. Other than that...
Magoo - puff, pant, am I late???
Janet/AR/host - Stanley, yes exactly, principal said I had done nothing wrong at all and was a good teacher. School board is run by the chruch insteasd of the parents
pambre - HI Magoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Janet/AR/host - Welcome Magoo!!!!
Janet/AR/host - Magoo, not late at all.
Stanley - pambre, I'm wondering if you got the cold stuff that was lingering around here last wk? Or did yours come in from Canada?
Stanley - Janet, with your credential in SPED you'd *DEFINITELY* get a contract in San Diego!
Janet/AR/host - Stanley, I took a personal day tomorrow to go around to the schools.
Stanley - Christina, Where & what grades do you sub?
pambre - Janet- Are you a sped teacher?
Janet/AR/host - pambre, I am teaching 4th grade right now but have certification in spec. ed.
Christina - Windsor, CO, preK-5, any specials, etc.
Magoo - Do you know, it took me over a month to figure out that 'sped' meant 'special education' ??? Sometimes the lights go out in my belfry..........
Magoo - I subbed in a 4th grade today......my favorite grade to be in
Janet/AR/host - Christina, is there anything we can help you with being a new sub and all.
pambre - Janet- I am sure in IL ,you could find work.
Janet/AR/host - Well I may end up moving. Would have to sell house and all. My 83 year old Mother in Law lives with us.
Stanley - Christina, a LOT of subs/publications urge us to have packs of ideas, etc, for different grade clusters. I couldn't handle that, so I don't. If you're likewise, ignore that advice as I did!
Christina - I have trouble with 5th grade, management and motivation
pambre - Janet-what area of SPED do you teach?
Magoo - Christina, take a big stick with you into 5 & 6...you don't DO anything with it you just lean it against the desk. 
Janet/AR/host - Christina, get you what I call a bag of goodies. Mainly a few books, extra worksheets(coloring) or word searches, and don't forget a treat for the ones that were good during the day.
Stanley - Christina, do you think that's because of their age? Some can have more than a touch of Middle School in them!
Janet/AR/host - pambre, all areas.
pambre - Christina- management begins with the first few min. , get them then and the rest of day is easier.
Christina - They look at me and say, she looks like a high schooler, let's see what we can get away with
Janet/AR/host - pambre, is totally right. Get your bluff in at the beginning. Let them know what you expect from them.
Stanley - Christina, I have a whole ticked system with prizes that I do from G-1 upwards. I'll be happy to send copies your way, if you wish...
pambre - Christina- they look at you and think , that could be me someday.
Christina - I'd love that, Stanley
Janet/AR/host - Christina, look at my website. There is a sub page there.
Janet/AR/host - http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/5146/subpage.html
Stanley - Christina, you need to get them to focus on what makes you intriguing, NOT your "shortcomings" vis-a-vis their "regular" T.
Janet/AR/host - Shortcomings, LOL I am only 5 feet tall barely!
Stanley - Christina, I've some posts on the SubBoard. Find one & send me an E-mail via the link I usually include. Be sure to include YOUR E-mail.
pambre - Stanley is right. The focus must be positive part of you. Youth is great as it brings you closer to them. Tell storys from your 5 and 6 grade years.
Christina - I'll do that
Janet/AR/host - Christina, Stanley is a pro at subbing for sure!
Stanley - Yeah, pambre, but you'll spill coffee on them we know! ROTFL!!
Christina - How long have each of you been subbing?
Stanley - I'm a pro @ SOMETHING Janet... just not sure WHAT!! {G}
Janet/AR/host - Christina, I subbed for 3 years before getting a private school teaching job in 4th grade.
pambre - Only when it is a matter of broken bones or worse.
Janet/AR/host - I hope to get some interviews set up tomorrow.
Stanley - I'm in my 5th yr, but they're typically LONG yrs: I worked 237 days in Y2K!
pambre - Stanley -how is job search going for you.
Christina - Wow, that's an extensive year; where do you live, Stanley?
Stanley - Janet, in my major district I **KNOW** what the lead interview question will be. I'm hoping for the "standard" Sub interview before the yr is out, & maybe THEN...
Janet/AR/host - Stanley, you have a lot of great ideas!!!!
Janet/AR/host - Well I wish you well in your search!
Stanley - I'm in San Diego. pambre, I'm not pushing... but I WILL be disapointed if they welch on the opportunity to let any interested subs interview!
Janet/AR/host - Here no one has to interview for a sub job.
Janet/AR/host - If they pass the background check they are in as a sub. No credentials or anything other than a high school diploma.
Christina - Here it depends which district you are in
Stanley - Janet, my last 3 interviews with this district have ALL featured the same lead question. I can & WILL prep for THAT... NEXT time! 
pambre - Stanley-do you interview for whole district or at each building?
Janet/AR/host - Stanley do you know where Jamul, CA is?
Janet/AR/host - Stanley, that is a great start!!!
pambre - Stanley- What is the question? We could get whole board to come up with ideas.
Stanley - pambre, the Sub thing would be for the whole district. The interview I had about a month ago was for a specific job, however. [It was off of what they call "Post & Bid."]
Janet/AR/host - Good idea, Pambre!
Stanley - Yes, I know of Jamul -- it's in our "boonies" or back country. Don't think I've ever been there, however...
Stanley - pambre, the question [& it's quite specific to the training the District gives their contracted Ts]: "What does your 3 hr literacy block look like?"
Janet/AR/host - Stanley, my Aunt just moved from there to Henderson, NV
pambre - Janet-what arae of SPED would you most like to teach?
Janet/AR/host - pambre, LD (resource room)
Stanley - Jamul is "country" for us. I'd guess Henderson, NV would be likewise.
Janet/AR/host - Stanley, I think it is as well.
Christina - Does the district use 4-blocks and/or 6 traits?
Stanley - Did all of you catch the requirements to sub in Los Angeles strand on the Board? That MASSIVE District [35 K CONTRACTED Ts?] has some MISERABLE areas, so how can they require a physical???
Janet/AR/host - I missed that Stanley.
pambre - What I means is that sounds like a fun question to ans. I would also counter it with asking if I really could get thos 3 hours of class time for literacy.
Janet/AR/host - pambre, I would too.
Stanley - Christina, I think it is an off-shoot of that. They imported a "guru" from NYC, & I think it is primarily HIS thing...
Janet/AR/host - The Private School I work for only allows 20 mins. for our reading program.
Stanley - pambre, they'll HANG you if you don't, so THAT'S not one you ask! {G}
Christina - 20 minutes!!
pambre - What can you get done in 20 min. Maybe you are going to find a better school , Janet.
Stanley - Janet, in San Diego City Schools OTHER stuff gets cut for the sake of literacy. I've no particular problem with that, because OTHER things can be incorporated under the aegis of literacy.
kinderkate - Was just passing through and just have a minute but about the question of Jamul -- It is southeast of san diego - in a desert like area . I guess it is about 45 minutes to one hour from downtown san diego. Some people do commute. It can be a lot closer depending on where in san diego you work.
Janet/AR/host - I sure hope so pambre!
pambre - Stanley, that is really wonderfull to get 3 hours. How do the teachers get in math. etc.
Janet/AR/host - Thanks, Kinderkate!
Janet/AR/host - Mi/Jo, I am doing well and you?
Stanley - kinder, are you a San Diegan? If so, where do you teach? I'm in 4 Districts, though focusing on City Schools.
Stanley - pambre, math is the other thing they do... sometimes THE only other...
MI/Jo - Has anybody here ever heard of Learning Network? It is a whole language literacy program. Teachers are trained as leaders to teach teachers how to teach readig and writing. Janet I am fine. Thanks.
Christina - One school I was mentored in spent all day on literacy, with a side helping of math and specials
Janet/AR/host - pambre, I feel the same way! It is not easy! Students are responsible for most of reading and that is not fair.
Janet/AR/host - MI/Jo. that sounds very interesting. I loved whole language when I was in college.
Stanley - Christina, that emphasis is about what we have in City Schools! But, at least in intermediate, it's NOT hard to fit in Social Studies via shared/guided reading.
MI/Jo - I like the program, it is taught in 2-3 hour blocks and the rest of the day uses the lessons in math, soc. st. and science. Neat program.
Stanley - One doesn't say "whole language" in these parts anymore. However, the "new" approach has lots of "whole lang," IMO.
Janet/AR/host - MI/Jo is there a website about Learning Network?
Stanley - MI/Jo, do they have a URL? I'd be interested in comparing it to what is going down here...
MI/Jo - Stanley, What "parts" is that? Iam finding here in SE michigan the basal reader is making a come back. How about in other parts of the country.
pambre - Isn't it interesting that even ed. lang. varies across the country.
MI/Jo - Yes, and no I don't know the addy. Maybe it can be accessed through a search engine?!
Janet/AR/host - pambre, yes! for sure.
Janet/AR/host - I will do that for sure tomorrow.
Janet/AR/host - Here there are only magnet schools.
Stanley - San Diego... it's all part of the accountability/high stakes testing movement, I'm afraid. Here I see **TONS** of "little" books from Scholastic, etc.
pambre - I see them here also.
Christina - Basals are starting to return here, Open Court is big.
Janet/AR/host - Well I may be back to subbing this next school year. We will see.
MI/Jo - Any experience or special training provided for using the basals?
Janet/AR/host - Welcome nikki to the sub teachers meeting.
nikki - hi everyone...the website for the learning network is teachervision.com
MI/Jo - Uggh! testing...the biggest 4 letter word I know. Thanks Nikki.
nikki - thank you, janet.
Stanley - City Schools adopted Open Court distric wide for K/1. It's tough to use as a sub, but perhaps once I'm more accustomed... [Most of my recent Primary has been Bilingual, & they don't use it.]
Janet/AR/host - ny experience with magnet schools?
Christina - When I did my teacher candidacy, the district had a representative of Open Court talk with us all
MI/Jo - I was trained in college to use whole lang. and my memories of basals are as a student.
Janet/AR/host - I love that site but did not know about the learning network.
MI/Jo - What is on teachervision.com Janet any good resources for subs?
Stanley - nikki, thanks! The contracted Ts get inserviced in Open Court. But the Subs...???
Janet/AR/host - Lots of lesson plans and units with the worksheets and all.
Stanley - meeha, leah, & Patty: Do you sub, & if so, where?
leah18360 - nope regular teacher
meeha/ece/tx - hi! I just wanted to stop by and sat a BIG "Thank You!!!!!" to the Guest-Teachers of America! We truly would have a tough time teaching withou out folks like you! 
MI/Jo - Is "Open court" a series or the name of the publisher in your region
Christina - Does your district use all the worksheets with Open Court? There are SO many some days.
leah18360 - just curious about what is being said see i see alot of subs come and go
Janet/AR/host - That was very nice and very well said meeha!
pambre - Thank you meecha!
Stanley - Somebody posted a DYNAMITE URL for materials a couple of wks ago on the SubBoard. I responed, so you could find it by doing a search for my name.
meeha/ece/tx - thank-you, Janet! I just think it goes unsaid far too often!
Janet/AR/host - There will be a sub in my room tomorrow.
MI/Jo - Is it just me or are worksheets making a big come back. There for awhile in the mid-late 90s I didn't see them, now that is all I see. Related to testing?
Stanley - meeha, I've LOTS of empathy for the travails of the classroom T. I mean, even writing the plans for us is SO time-consuming!! 
MI/Jo - Thanks meeha for the complement
Janet/AR/host - This is the only the second time I have needed a sub this year.
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley, I work with special needs pre-schoolers, have three wonderful teaching assistants to manage the room in my absence and still have Guest Teachers afraid to come in and help with the kiddos for a day or two.
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley -- I often opt to work 'anyhow' rather than write out all those plans!
pambre - I can not believe the no. of worksheets used in middle school. I think districts are not buying books.
Christina - SRA Open Court is published by McGraw Hill
Janet/AR/host - MI in this private school. Yes they are big!!!
Stanley - I think worksheets are possibly part of the same movement. Janet, isn't it HARD writing Sub plans? I've done it a couple of times myself. Ugh!!!!!
MI/Jo - Do they bore the stuffing out of you? I think there is a lack of creativity and teaching when using them.
meeha/ece/tx - worksheets are often the mediocre teacher's means of forcing students to do work ... notice: i did NOT say to teach, mostly i think they keep kids quiet! Learning is far better accomplished in cooperative groups and active learning opportunities.
Janet/AR/host - I do not like writing plans for the sub but I use my plan book mainly and add the extra info to the plan.
Janet/AR/host - I agree Stanley!
pambre - I agree so much MI/JO
meeha/ece/tx - (***oops! is guess i should say, the preceeding was my personal editorial regarding worksheets!  )
Christina - Since I know many of the teachers I sub for, they opt to pull me aside and explain the process so they don't have to write it all out
MI/Jo - meeha, thanks for confirming my hunches. I really hate to see a stack of those on the desk in the am when I get to an assignment. 
Stanley - meeha, I do NOT understand why Subs shy away from SPED! Some of my first jobs were with SH 2 yr-olds. I got LOTS of call backs, but Subs who didn't tended to be aloof from the kids. Sad, isn't it? 
Janet/AR/host - meeha, in this private school all tests and quizzes and worksheets are done for you. You just tear them out of books where it is in the plans.
Janet/AR/host - When I subbed the teacher just let me go by there plan book. They would leave it there for me.
MI/Jo - I have done 5 long-terms in the past 1.5 years and found coop groups and hands on stuff much more fun and informative.
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley ... it is tough for many to know how to handle differences and imperfections in others ... it scares far too many people. My kiddos are pretty much "normal" (is there such a critter?) with speech/language deficits.
Stanley - The only problem with groups as a Sub: Mgmt CAN be dicier when you don't know the kids' names.
kayeah - hi everyone! Just stopping in...got a quick question as a new sub in a long-term position. Everyone assumes that my job includes everything the "real" teacher does/did but without the pay, etc. Is this normal or am I too meek and mild? Thanks for any advice or similar experiences. Great comments I've been reading!
MI/Jo - meeha, I do sped, but those days do not count on my certificate for renewal. Bummer, maybe if they did I would do more sped days.
Christina - As I understand it, that's the basic profile, kayeah, but I'm new to this
meeha/ece/tx - MI/Jo ... then the state is creating their own shortage! SPED teachers don't stay in the job pool too long, they get jobs pretty quickly everywhere.
MI/Jo - kayeah, you are right. But ask about a pay increase for long-terms you should get one. Some districts add $15.00 a day others take you to s\tep 1 after 10 days. ask
Janet/AR/host - kayeah, yes that is the way it is here as well.
meeha/ece/tx - well, just wanted to stop by and say "gracias" to you all, keep up the good work. bye for now.
Stanley - kayeah, there's a strand now on the SubBoard about your topic. I'd say the assumptions are correct, though in some parts of the country your pay shoots up DRAMATICALLY in a long term.
MI/Jo - If there was a way the state would pay my tuttion for a sped endorsement, I would go that route. I need a job
Janet/AR/host - Well Thanks everyone for attending tonights meeting. Hope to see you all at next months meeting!
MI/Jo - I have worked sped as a TA for 11 years and liked it.
Stanley - meeha, I've worked perhaps 10 days in classes of autistic K's. Of course, that is VERY "aide heavy!"
pambre - Unless pay goes up with long term. you do suffer a lot.
MI/Jo - Bye all! see you on the chatboards
Janet/AR/host - Have a great night and month of subbing and teaching!
meeha/ece/tx - MI -- check local universities ... I'm attending UNT working on my masters in Beh. disorders ... fed gov is paying 2/3 of the tuition!!!!!
MI/Jo - Not possible in MI, where are you?
pambre - Janet- thank you! Good luck in job search.
meeha/ece/tx - MI ...texas! check with sped department heads!
Christina - Thank you all for your advice.
pambre - Good nite all!
MI/Jo - Okay will do. thanks for the tips..
Stanley - meeha, I **DON'T** want to attend school currently with my own classroom. Plus, WHY do so many Ts drop out of SPED? [BTW, is meeha phonetic for "mi hija?"]
MI/Jo - Stanely maybe a "summer only" program would help
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley -- burn-out is the reason many don't stay. "meeha" is phonetic spelling for the way one of my 3 year olds said my name ((Miss Hart)) when he couldn't talk!
MI/Jo - drop out in sped is due to burnout and all those meetings for IEPCs
MI/Jo - bye all! have a good night, week, month
Stanley - I don't think that is permissible when you're on an emergency credential, MI/Jo. Plus, WHY do so many SPED-credentialed Ts opt out for "regular" Ed? Where there's smoke...
Christina - If it is a pull-out special ed program, then maybe they miss having a homeroom?
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley, TX is no longer 'training' sped teachers after the current degree plans come through ... i don't understand the legislation, but .....
Stanley - meeha, I'm reasonably proficient in Spanish, & what I posted means "My daughter:" Ts COMMONLY say that to their female Ss!
meeha/ece/tx - i think too many teachers in general don't know or think to take care for themselves well enough to endure the stress of education... especially true in SPED
meeha/ece/tx - i know mi hija is my (precious) daughter or little girl ... get lots of questions about the nick name! 
Stanley - Christina, no, I agree it's the PAPERWORK, plus possibly extra challenging parents, at least in SOMEA instances. I know one Bilingual [now K T] SPED T who though she received NO additional consideration for the extra work requirements.
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley, there are no considerations for extra requirements! Mounds of paperwork come home nightly! (But, in reality, most teachers do a lot of the same -- if not different work at home) ... at least if they're any good at w hat they do!
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley, there is also an increased risk of litigation in the SPED setting ... part of the ins and outs of IEPs and federal legislation!
Stanley - meeha, I hear you about other Ts working hard. However, there has GOT to be a reason for the drop out rate, & I've not heard of anyone dealing with it or even MENTIONING it! [I.e., "anyone" = educrats.]
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley -- one of my grad classes addressed teachers (SPED) taking care of themselves and preventing burn-0ut
Stanley - Wow -- I'm HONORED being with SPED Ts. [BTW, I enjoy subbing in SPED, & I've lots of opportunities to do so.]
HI - Meeha, do you have any tips for preventing burn-out?
Stanley - meeha, you mention something of importance, but it's a TOUGH call when the pressures &/or desires to do MORE for kids begin to grab @ you!
HI - I have one good tip myself. Get rid of the useless paperwork!!
meeha/ece/tx - HI, find yourself a good mentor, don't take yourself too seriously, and take time for taking care of you! Don't let yourself get so tired that you can't go on! Be realistic in your expectations of yourself and your students! Educate teachers around you and your students, but help your students understand that some people just don't understand being different is okay!
Stanley - HI, is your paperwork comment a suggestion or something you've actually learned how to accomplish? {G}
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley, eventually you have to realize that if you don't take care of yourself you can't do anything for them!!!!!
meeha/ece/tx - (I do understand where you're coming from, though!)
HI - I could only wish that I had accomplished such a tremendous task.
Stanley - GREAT thought, meeha! You made my clipboard!! {G}
HI - Do your SPED kids take the SAT?
meeha/ece/tx - HI, there is so much we do and re-do ... i keep rewriting the same things againand again ... we are working on IEP packets on computer ... will reduce a LOT of rewrite at least!!!!!
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley -- 
Christina - Have a good night, all, I'm heading off to the land of nod
meeha/ece/tx - HI, my kiddos are too young for standardized testing (thank goodness!!!!!)
Stanley - Good luck, Christina! DO sent me that E-mail, ya' hear? 
HI - Our system has a computer program that you can use while in an IEP meeting to write the IEP then and copy it at the end of the meeting.
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley, I actually find myself energized by the classes I'm taking during the school year!
meeha/ece/tx - 'nite, Christina! take care.
meeha/ece/tx - I can write the IEP goals on computer, but NOT the meeting packet itself.
Christina - Thanks for the advice - I'll check out your posts later on.
Stanley - I've been hearing of computerizing IEPs since my T.Ed program 6 yrs ago...
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley, they keep 'threatening' to do it here ..... one can only wish!!!!!
Stanley - meecha, Likewise [re classes] IF: I can take what *I* want, & I can do it on weekends without papers, tests, etc.
meeha/ece/tx - I have reading assignments, tests, projectys, papers, etc. it works out! (but i'm single and don't have kiddos at home! just me, myself, and i!)
Stanley - HI, that computer program sounds promising!
HI - I know that it sounds too good to be true. There has got to be a catch somewhere.
meeha/ece/tx - at this point i'm enjoying the collegiate atmosphere enough that i'm seriously considering going on toward my Ed.D. (Ph.D.)!
HI - I don't see SPED getting teacher friendly anytime soon.
HI - That is great meecha. I am starting back this summer and I am alittle nervous
Stanley - I've a friend in a SPED intern program. But it's NOT working out for her because the Principal [whom I know] is a B E A S T, simply put! 
meeha/ece/tx - HI -- i can be a long-distance 'mentor' ... but you really need someone nearby for many issues! SPED teachers should be the most receptive to helping 'newbies' ... unless they're so 'old' that they've lost interest/heart!
Stanley - meeha, go for it!  We NEED educrats with their HEADS screwed on!! {G}
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley, that's too bad!
HI - Tha tis so often to case when I meet old SPED teachers. I heard that 1 in 6 new SPED teachers in our county alone quit.
meeha/ece/tx - HI ... i work on the neatest campus, the entire building is like a pillow of warmth! everyone tis there for the kids! administrators care! custodians care! teachers care! parents care! kiddos care! cool place -- and you can feel it when you walk in the door!!!!!
Stanley - This "Principal" was once a SPED T herself, but she's into playing mind games with my friend. HOPEFULLY they'll not drop her from the program because of it!
HI - Well I have enjoyed my 1st chat. I wish the bothof you great luck and hopefully we can chat later. God Bless
meeha/ece/tx - HI, sadly those numbers may even be a bit low ... few SPED teachers last beyond 3 years in the SPED classroom.
meeha/ece/tx - take care HI ... and come back soon and often!
Stanley - meeha, in such an environment *I* might even go the emergency credential route. There are **ALWAYS** SPED openings here @ the start of the year, but I'd have to "KNOW" the situation first... Not "likely" to happen!
meeha/ece/tx - Stanley -- come to Texas! come to Arlington! you can do it! 
Stanley - HI, keep up the good work! 
meeha/ece/tx - ..... although .... there aren't many openings at my campus and only 3 SPED teachers!!!!!
Stanley - I'm CA all the way! San Diego is ADDICTIVE, if you've ever been here. Plus, I'm with my [healthy] 83 yr old dad.
meeha/ece/tx - Good luck! (Don't fall into the ocean!) How's the power situation now?
Stanley - Believe it or not, were I to do it I think I'd probably go SH -- & shoot for the little "guys."
meeha/ece/tx - i can believe it! my little bits are the lights of my life! I LOVE what i do and can't imagine doing anything else!
Stanley - Same... I've NO idea where it's all headed. But, I'm reasonably confident of a contract SOMEWHERE along the line. And, as long as I'm with my dad & working 200 days/yr, I CAN wait, if that's what it takes...
meeha/ece/tx - i have a bed at my house for one of my guys ... a car seat in my car for him! (i don't follow my own advice very well ... he is a big part of my life, i believe that his grandmother will put me in her will to get him when/if she pre-deceases him ... grandfather died 3 weeks after they adopted him)
Stanley - meeha, if something can be both sad & inspiring, your post was that! 
meeha/ece/tx - you might check with a local university or autism chapter (maybe even FEAT) and get some training ... back-up your income with some in-home training (ABA style) working with children with autism ... good trainers can make $20 per hour!
meeha/ece/tx - thank you ...
Stanley - What does ABA style mean? I've not heard that term before.
meeha/ece/tx - ABA = Applied Behavior Analysis ... today it isn't so much Lovaas as just good sound teaching ... Catherine Maurice has a book entitled BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN WITH AUTISM which has a lot of good info re: ABA and how to go about doing the training ... if parents hire you they'll pay you to get the training from a program coordinator helping them.
meeha/ece/tx - you can also 'plug in' ABA on a search engine and get lots of info ... or autism!
Stanley - Thanks for the info! [Another clip board job] My last autism class was intercession in early Aug. Had it been offered to me as a "vacancy" in Sept, I might have gone for it.
Stanley - So, your degree would be in what we call "SH" here?
meeha/ece/tx - children with autism are the reason i'm going for my masters ... i need to know so much more about that disorder/culture so that i'm better prepared to help them!
meeha/ece/tx - don't know SH ... i hold ESL, early childhood, and 'generic' special ed certifications here in TX!
meeha/ece/tx - i think that i would enjoy working with a few children with autism ... actually think that 5 or 6 of my 19 have lots of autistic tendencies ... but don't think that 'autistic classes' are in t he best interest of any except the most severely impaired children with autism
Stanley - My first exposure was a couple of yrs ago via a T whom I knew from another site in another capacity. I had **NO** idea what it was like, but the 4 days or so I spent in Robin's class allowed me to have SOME idea what I was doing in that [planless] interc
meeha/ece/tx - i applied for a nanny position several years ago, think the middle child in the family (then about 15 months old) may have been autistic ... but wasn't aware enough of autism to even educate the parents!
Stanley - SH = severely handicapped. I'm not sure what qualifies as the "most" severly impaired with respect to autism.
meeha/ece/tx - SH would be a good term for very severely autistic kiddos ... no communication, no interaction, need for 1:1 support all day .....
meeha/ece/tx - SPH is the term used here ... severely and profoundly handicapped ... generally refers to very severe physical challenges and super-low IQ's ...
meeha/ece/tx - hate to chat and run, but i need to get some work done for university wednesday night ... readings and answering questions (niece & nephew were here from MI last week, i haven't read a letter yet!)
Stanley - In Robin's class the most verbal was actually THE most difficult: I saw him spit in his aide's face, he would tend to do the OPPOSITE of what you said. [So, when he spat, the aide responded, "Okay, SPIT in my face!"
meeha/ece/tx - I'm taking classes in the school of Applied Behavior Analysis at north texas now ... in addition to my SPED classes, it is interesting how we misinterpret the impact of our actions on the behaviors of the students we work with! all that 'nagging' and 'signing the book' mentality actually winds up encouraging what we DON'T want to see!
Stanley - I've been thinking much the same -- some "stuff" to do. It HAS been a pleasure! You sound like you have it TOGETHER, meeha!! 
meeha/ece/tx - thank you, i'll take that as a very special compliment! have a wonderful night and a blessed forever!  good night
Stanley - ¡Hasta la vista!
Stanley - Going, going...
Stanley - (((( poof! ))))

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