Becoming One of THOSE Teachers

When I first set out to be a teacher, I didn't think I would ever (like, ever. Like, evereverever.) teach special education. In fact, whenever I met someone who DID teach special education, I would bust out the big guns right away. You know the ones.

"Oh, wow. You must be so patient!"

"It takes a special kind of person to do that job."

"Wow. Good for you. I could neeeever do that!"

So I went ahead and got my general education credential. I student taught in a kindergarten and fourth grade class and totally loved it. Here I am, bursting with enthusiasm.
 

Then I went out and got my first real, live job teaching fifth grade. I hated my whole first year of teaching. And believe me when I say I was realllly not patient. The second year went much better, and I was finally starting to get into my groove when I was laid off in 2007. And that's when things got interesting.

I was asked to interview for a long term substitute position in a special education class.  I was super nervous about the interview, and even more nervous about the prospect of subbing for a class of children with special needs. By this time I had a few experiences working with kids with disabilities one on one and many experiences working with kids who were fully included. But I was still incredibly fearful. In fact, in my interview I told them that I wasn't sure that Special Ed was for me and I could only say that I would stay for the first month of school. I told them that after that first month, I made no promises.

It didn't take a full week, not even a full DAY, to know that I was home.  It took getting the wrong credential and two years of the wrong work experience and getting laid off to land there, but I finally found the joy in teaching while working with kids with special needs.  And it turns out, it doesn't take extreme levels of patience or a saintly personality or any of those things I thought to be one of THOSE teachers. Like I always tell people who tell me it "takes a special kind of person," it doesn't really take a special kind of person, it takes a different kind of person. And while each day is definitely different, I kind of like it that way.

About the Teacher

Whenever I start reading a new blog, I like to know a little bit about the person writing it. I figure you might be the same way, so I thought I would introduce myself. You know, properly.

My first name is Jaymi, but the name I hear a thousand times a day is "Mrs. T." I teach at a large, year-round school in a low-income neighborhood in the Los Angeles area, and I live in another city about twenty minutes south of there.  My class is a first grade class for students with a variety of disabilities that now all fall under California's mild to moderate credential. (However, that wasn't always the case; when I first started, the majority of my class would have been considered moderate to severe, and so that is the credential I hold.  Things can change pretty quickly in special education!) I am currently working on my Master's in Special Education and will be done in May 2012. I simply cannot WAIT to be through with school, or "the school where I'm the student," as my mom calls it.

I am in my mid-twenties and have been very happily married to my husband for coming up on five years (but, as he likes to say, "It feels like forever!" Seriously, that's his favorite joke. If you've met him, he's probably said that to you at LEAST once :). A couple of years ago we bought a house and quickly acquired our spoiled rotten little dog, Ace. He is a dachsund-german shephard mix, which sounds really odd but basically equates to a medium sized brown pup with one ear that's floppy and one that stands up straight.

 My Boys

When I'm not with the Hubs and the Pup, I spend time with my family and friends, particularly my brand new nephew Jack, who I'm basically obsessed with. Truthfully? The Cutest. Baby. Ever. He was born December 2011 and he's the preciousest thing ever. Which isn't even a word, but is the closest word I can find to describe him accurately. In the little spare time I have, I like to jog, ride my bike, and go out to eat. I am also a recreational baker and love to make treats to share with friends or to send in to my husband's coworkers.

Like any good teacher (or good person, for that matter), I am constantly evolving, so this is just a snapshot of my life at the moment. Looking forward to getting to know all of you as well!

Where is Everybody?

I got caught up tonight. In a thousand blogs, a million posts, and billions of pictures of adorable classrooms, sweet little activities, and fun worksheets to complete with your class. I pinned them, saved them, even printed a few. And then I realized.

I can't use them.

Sometimes I forget what kind of class I teach. The nature of my students' disabilities. I compare myself to the other teachers, the gen ed teachers, and wonder why their classrooms look better or cuter or so much more organized. And then I remember that, just like my students, I am a little different. Because my kids learn differently, I have to teach differently.

Not to say that my classroom can't be adorable, or sweet, or fun. But most of the stuff that comes into my classroom has to be modified in some way. And that's where this blog comes in. Taking the cuteness, or the management tools, or the fun ideas that I see elsewhere and making them work for my class and my kids. The funny thing is, most special education teachers do this already. Like, everyday. So where are all of those blogs?

I can tell you this- here's one. For US.