Early in the morning, I stopped by the severe autism classroom to see if my schedule jived with theirs for speech therapy pull-out sessions. The A.P. was there, one who I can't say I have that much respect for. When I went to the first day of the 3-day orientation, that's when I first got a taste of how unprofessional this high-up professional can be. She poked fun at the stereotypic movements that individuals with severe autism are often seen doing. Today, I walked in while she was going over logistical stuff with RB, the teacher. I overheard her make a couple cracks at how these kids with severe autism are comparable to her trained dog. I walked out. Unfortunately, when I went back, she was still there and she had just gotten to the daily schedules and asked where my services fit in. She saw that RB had already put on there that the kids had snack time with me twice a week, and I explained how I'd pull some out and see others as part of the Language Arts station. She made another joke about how I'm just training those kids like her dog and how her dog wouldn't know the difference if she fed him cat snacks and likewise, our kids wouldn't know if I fed them cat snacks either.
I have certainly never been one to think quick and respond to inappropriate remarks, especially when the ones making those remarks are my superiors (fortunately, she is not my administrator). I was in utter shock, disappointment, and anger. Even now, all I can do is shake my head at how insensitive people can be, especially to such innocent children. It's infuriating and degrading to think that some people who call themselves professionals compare the students to animals and view me simply and wrongfully as an "animal trainer." Am I exaggerating? I don't think so b/c I went through this last year with That Crazy Lady.
{{{still shaking my head at the thought of all this!}}}
Shortly after, I went back to the 320 classroom to work with some of the kids. I pulled two of them for individual sessions into my room and then worked with all of them during their snack time. The funniest thing is that now, not only does J320 call me "Mi- Mee-ang," but ALL of them call me that! I tried to teach/correct one of the most verbal ones on Friday, but then my name went from "Miss Mee-ang" to "Miss La-la-lee-MEE-ang." I was like, omg, now look what I've done now! So I've humbly accepted that my name will be Mee-ang with the 320s. (I haven't cut my RSPED kiddos any slack, though!)
I went back to my room and saw my Asperger's kiddo who I am hoping to put on consultative services sometime this year. He still has articulation disorders of gliding and vocalization, but when I probed today, he was putting more effort than he ever did last year. I was very pleased with him. He appears to be adjusting well to his new teachers and grade, too.
After a few more sessions, I finally saw DA and CV, the infamous Tuesday boys. I am kind of glad that I saw them at the end of my day b/c they were a handful! I watched them through my window, as they got the call slip during P.E. (I love my new room location for this reason!) and then I swung my door open and watched them round the fence and come to me. They immediately started griping about not wanting to come nor stay long. Their excuse today was that today was the first day they would be in the gym (where it was assumed to be cooler). Crazy DA started taking off his shirt, and I said in the most serious, no-nonsense tone, "PUT YOUR SHIRT BACK ON." Granted, he had an undershirt, but he hooked the hem of his shirt behind his neck to "not get sweat on it" but I was NOT down with anybody walking by and thinking this kid was trying funny business with me or vice-versa! My co-worker was behind the room division, listening to me tell DA twice, "put your shirt back on" and I'm sure she was silently freaking out for me! I told them that they had to stay for 5 more minutes and give me 10 complete sentences each about their summer and they did extremely well (0 errors with 0 prompts!). After DA finished, he told CV to slow down so that he'd take up the rest of the 5 minutes. When CV finished, DA asked me why my co-worker got the "bigger room" (the larger half of the room). I really didn't know how to respond so I said, "I don't know."
DA: Can I ask her?
Me: Sure, go ahead, but you have to ask her in the right way, starting with her name, Mrs. R--
DA: Mrs. R--, why you have the bigger room?
[Mrs. R didn't hear him so he asked again. This time, Mrs. R walked over so DA asked again.]
DA: Why you got the bigger room?
Mrs. R--: Do I have the bigger room? I didn't even notice. I don't really know why.
DA looked straight at me and said, "Is it b/c [Mrs. R--] is smarter than you?"
Me: Just for that, you have to stay 15 extra minutes!
Of course I was just playing. Yeah right I wanted to let an 8th grader clown me for an extra 15 minutes! (I also felt bad that I unintentionally implied that I am smarter than Mrs. R--...although I'm not sure if she caught onto that or not...Hopefully not.) Not trusting these boys, I decided to escort them to the gym. On our way, we passed by Mrs. R and her two students.
DA: Yo A__, what are we doing in the gym?Yeah right! I escorted them all the way to the gym and didn't turn around until they both set foot in that joint!
Mind you, this student is drenched in sweat.
DA: do we still gotta run?
A: Yes.
DA and CV turned to each other with this look of disbelief, as if running was forbidden inside the gym and their teacher had betrayed them. They both turned back to me and begged, "WAIT! Can we go back to the Speech Room? We were just kidding about leaving early! C'mon! Take us back!"
After that, I ran off to two meetings, stopped by the gym, my youngest aunty's house, and then finally home. It's been a long day, but I still have a long week to go! Tomorrow's Back To School Night, training on Thursday, and then my first IEP for the year, which happens to be a high-profile one. I am so looking forward to the weekend already!
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