Here we are in a time of uncertainty and trying to figure out how we are going to navigate learning for our students. I have read so many posts, blogs, read up on research, looked at graphs, data, saved any and all of the resources that 'might' work for the students on my caseload.
For so many teachers we are worried, we are scared for our kids, our students, our health, we are stressed about our jobs, our pay checks,bills, our families-young and old alike. The list can just go on and on. I have watched people hoard life's necessities. I have read about parents unable to find formula, milk, wipes for their young children. I have heard of elderly and people with disabilities not able to get toilet paper. I have seen empty shelves in stores, I have seen lines at stores that back up as far as the eye can see. I have heard people who say it's no big thing, just the flu, get over it. I have read stories of people being turned away from the hospital because the medical profession had to choose between people due to not having enough supplies. I have listened to people say its all just a hoax. So much, overloaded by so much and everyone's feelings one way or the other. People should not have to worry if they can get formula for their little ones, or milk, or wipes, or toilet paper.....all because some people thought they should stock pile. AND then to see some people trying to sell it and make a buck.For those people, I truly do hope karma comes around and bites you hard in the butt. I haven't kept up on my blog as I had hoped to do. Life......life gets too darn busy. I am going to try again to keep it updated. Perhaps use it as a tool to communicate with families, share resources......I am not sure. For now, please stay safe my friends. Love yourself, your family and be kind to your neighbors. Take care of one other and please take some time to help others. Check on people, think outside of the box to stay connected. I just received an Assistive Technology assessment that was completed on one of my students back and my staff and I received the best compliment ever! The report said, "The team, in my view, is already doing everything possible to advance his communication and learning abilities. I have seldom seen it done this well with a student this complex."
Bam! That feels very good to hear because there are definitely times that I feel like I am not doing enough, I should know more, be able to help support my students more.....but then I have to remind myself that this learning journey about all the different Assistive Tech and Communication devices out there has only been going on for 2 years. When I stop and think about that, I realize that I have come a long way. I also know that I have a long way to go, but for now....I will take that compliment for my team and run with the win!!! Well done Room 105! I believe I have finished my web page.....well, at least to the point that I can turn it in for a grade for my class. However, there is a lot more I want to add and do! I am sure that I will have rearranged it several times before it's all said and done. I do have to say that I am pretty excited about the page and curious to hear what people think and if it's helpful to them at all.
I find that I am excited to share the knowledge that I have learned and twice now in the last week or so, I was actually able to provide some ideas and supports to people who sought me out to ask if I had any ideas about how to help?? That blank stare from a year ago is gone and I can actually nod, smile and then gleefully show them my resource folders that I meticulously set up so I can find things easily! I did a collaboration today with several of my staff members and showed them the two chrome extensions of tldr and speakit! (see my reading page for information about them) I am really hopeful that they will start using some of these things and working at being proactive to ask the teacher for pdfs or electronic copies of papers, so students can start "reading" them on their own, rather than the paraprofessional doing it for them. I still have to write my final paper for my class......hopefully I don't make it harder than it should be! But then I will be done with this class.......but, I really don't like that idea. I have loved this class, the professor and my classmates! Welcome to my new blog! My hope is to be able share my thoughts, frustrations, successes and all other things possibly related to Assistive Technology. It has become a passion of mine because I do not feel I have done a very good job of ensuring the students I work with have access to the technology they need in order to achieve their best. Much of that is due to the fact there is so much out there I just don't know. I began my journey a year or so ago on my own, learning what I could learn. Then I decided to go back to school to get my Master's degree and now I am getting even more information. I hope to share all of that with you, the good and the bad. So strap in, hold on.....and let us see where this journey takes me.
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AuthorMy name is Cory Singleton and I am a special education teacher for Moscow High School. I have recently returned to school in order to get my Masters degree. I have a desire to learn all I can about Assistive Technology and be able to share that knowledge with my co-workers, parents and students! ArchivesCategories |