I fell into teaching quite by accident. I was studying to be a psychologist and had decided to take some Social Work classes. One class required that I observe at a local preschool, so like a good little college student I signed up. After 2 unfair grades and an argument with the professor in front of the class, I began to realize this class was not the right fit for me. So I withdrew from the class (and could feel my blood pressure drop almost instantaneously).
At this point, I was still scheduled to observe one more time. I decided to keep the appointment and simply volunteer my time there. When I arrived there was a flurry of activity! An emergency meeting had been called and the class I was assigned to was in dire need of coverage. I was asked by the director to run a classroom for about 15 minutes. As is my nature, I agreed to help out. Next thing I know I had 10 pairs of eyes staring at me and I realized...oh hell now what do I now? So I tapped into my early years of babysitting and found myself reading a story. By the time I was finished I looked up to see the teacher and the director looking at me oddly.
Many thoughts ran through my head at this time. I did a quick mental count to make sure all kids were accounted for. 10 kids...check. OK...no missing kids and yet there were these professionals staring at me as if I had 3 heads. After a moment of silence that seemed to span an eternity the 2 women began to whisper to each other. When the director called me over, the teacher spoke first. "How did you get R to sit down and listen to the story?" she asked in an incredulous voice. I responded with the truth."I don't know." Next the director asked me,"Do you have a job?" I of course responded no to which the following question was posed,"Would you like one?"
So began my illustrious career! When I realized my degree was not worth the paper it was written on, I applied for a teaching assistant position. I was made lead teacher within weeks.
I have worked in hole-in-the-wall preschools.(I had a 4 year old offer to pick me up for a "ride in his dad's car" only to have his dad offer me the same deal...only far more provocatively.) I had a 3 year old try to kill me once. I would later take a demotion in order to have a higher paying job with the creme de la creme of the NYC upper crust society. I am talking diplomats' children, the offspring of federal judges...even bonafide royalty!
A serious accident in London later left me unemployed and I went back to school. All the while I was basically blackmailing my former employer for medical benefits over 2 years. I obtained my masters and was an appointed teacher by August of that same summer.
I ended up in a school in Chinatown for one year. It was my trial by fire! There will be far more on that topic later. The one thing I will say is that by surviving that year, I realized I was a greater teacher and a stronger woman than I had ever imagined.
This blog will be a collection of anecdotes and memories. It will not follow the typical chronological order one comes to expect from a blog. I will meander through my hall of memories in a similar fashion to a tourist exploring a city. I will take you to the bright and shiny spots that will try to call you to this profession and I will explore the seedy and "dodgy" (Thanks Gerald for that fantastic word!) memories that might send an Ed student running for the hills (and to their nearest therapist!)
Come join me on this adventure as it continues to grow. For those of you who may be parents of children on the spectrum ( As I am. My toddler has a diagnosis of borderline PDD-NOS) please feel free to follow me on my other blog http://seeingthroughthespectrum.blogspot.com/. I will be working hard to update each blog as frequently as possible. I thank you for reading the wandering thoughts of an overstressed, underpaid, and over achieving 3rd grade teacher for Students with Special Needs! Until next time!
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