special ed is for me

another long day, but much more fulfilling than yesterday. don't get me wrong, i enjoy helping my cohortmates and doing cec stuff, but yesterday felt like too much. today was the reward for all the crap i did yesterday: the realization that i will be an effective teacher. dr. j came by to visit today and she and my host teacher talked for about 20 minutes. it was mostly about no child left behind stuff, but there was a little praising jason in there which was much needed. i never really understood how much i need encouragement and simple words of affirmation (to steal a love languages term). for those of you who tell me you enjoy my pictures, songs, or just simple things like "have a good day," they mean the world to me and i cherish them.



speaking of cherishing things. i really cherish my free time now. i got home, took blue to the park (never heard from jessica and hudson, oh well, maybe some other time), caught up on some e-mails from department chairs and cohort folks, and by 6 when i sat down to eat, i felt like i had earned it. i'm learning how to be more organized -- i have to be just to survive. i'm hoping i'll get used to it soon and get out of that survival mode to where i can thrive, but until then, i think staying busy is having a positive effect on my mental health. i don't have time to sulk.



part of placement today that was so moving was learning about the abuse that one of my kids received when he was younger (he's 8). we're talking physical (hot water, beating, bleach, drugs), sexual (doing things to his parents), and obviously emotional. when i saw him after hearing that i just wanted to hug him and hold him and tell him everything would be ok, no one will ever hurt you again. i think i've found the right career path.



happy picture! (from my last placement)