At BYU I almost got my degree in special ed and then later decided a general elementary education degree would be more flexible. I'm still glad I chose that and had the wonderful, and if not always wonderful, memorable experiences I had teaching in general ed for 3 years. I loved teaching those kids, and I loved who I worked with. Although it was hard to leave, I was kind of excited for a little change when I came down to Texas... I love mixin it up. I'm the type of person who refuses to eat a sandwich or any same thing everyday for lunch. Well, things have been mixed. Substituting was going well, but it just wasn't keeping me busy enough. I wanted to be working more than twice a week. So, one of the classes that I had been in before needed a sub for a full week before Christmas, so of course I said Yes! It's nice to have jobs planned out. At the end of the week, they told me that the aide I was substituting for had been injured and was not expected to come back for at least a month. So I filled the position, and I'm in it for as many months as they need me.
It's quite a change going from being the teacher in a large class of 11 and 12 year olds to being an aide in a class of only 4 kindergarteners with autism. It's only been a few weeks, but I already love those kids. And I'm not the type of person who just loves all kids. I should, but I don't. I sure can fake it though! But I don't fake it with these kids. They make me smile a lot everyday. Sometimes it gets a little frustrating when they don't sit up or when they don't answer questions or when they throw a fit, but it's just so dang cute when they repeat funny things they've heard or when they do answer questions and when they behave for a Dorito. Some of my favorite things so far have been A.C. singing "For the Longest Time" word for word in the mirror with a fake microphone and big star glasses, F.S. saying "Miss Christie" with a smile when I got him out of the car in the morning, M. laughing really hard when we played the I'm-gonna-get-you game, F.S.'s Oh-no-I-gotta-go-#2-now face (which really was an Oops-we're-too-late face), A.C. repeating "Nokia, AT&T, Miss Christie's phone" over and over and then taking lots of pictures of himself with it, and M. constantly keeping her distance from her pursuer A.C. who loves to smother her, watching the Kinder class do their calendar songs in the morning-especially the month Macarena, and A.C. calling me "Christina Pomper" since that's how he read my name on my name tag the first week. Oh man, I really get a kick out of these kids. Working on their goals 1 on 1 at the table is sometimes difficult, but it's really rewarding when they get it. They're such smart little kiddos. The other great thing about the job is that there isn't any planning after school. Being an aide isn't so bad after all. It's steady, and I'm happy. Plus, it's busy season for James right now and he's gone a lot, so this keeps me busy. Poor James. It won't last forever though, and I'm just grateful that we both have jobs.
9 comments:
You are a cute teacher/aide! I'm glad you've got some steady work.
Sounds very rewarding and entertaining. Let me know if you ever have a day off or school is canceled again, we need to play. Oh and I need to get P90X sometime, tyler's wanting to start it next month.
That's great Christie! I was just talking to a friend who is subbing here... she and I are both getting a lot of calls for sp ed. I actually love it, too! They are so sweet!
Last year I subbed a ton in special ed rooms and they came to be my favorite! I don't see those jobs as much any more and it makes me sad. There was one autistic class that I subbed for and at the end of the day they said that one of the teachers was leaving and they were going to need a replacement...but since I don't have a degree I couldn't do it! Heartbreaking. They were the cutest class! Glad you got to stick around with one that you like.
I subbed for a special ed class last week and had a lot of fun singing and playing with them! I don't sub a lot, but when I do I just love it! I'm glad you found something more steady right now.
Congrats girl!! Sounds like so much fun :)
I have a piano student that is dyslexic. He is 7 years old and wants to play the piano so badly. We are moving slowly, but the smile on his face when he has accomplished playing a new little song can melt me immediately. There is something special about those sweet little spirits that have something wrong physically. They have such a great desire to do something well. When he gets his sticker to put on a new song he has learned, you would think I gave him all the money in the world. You are a special person Christie to do what you do for the special spirits of our Heavenly Father.
You're the greatest, Christie. Thanks for sharing
your experiences about the Lord's perfect children.
If we could all be so loving and honest. Loves,
Mom
I have a nephew with autism and I also find it extremely rewarding to get to know him. The parents and teachers who love them and care for them every day are simply amazing.
Have fun!
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