First thing's first; my teaching experience. I'm working in an integrated preschool, with children who are typical, as well as those with a visual impairment. Last year I had the pre-K group, and this year, I have the three-year-olds. Both age groups are fun, and challenging in their own way. The older kids are easier, in the sense that they are more independent, and have been in school before. They don't need as much hands-on as the little ones do. There's more that you can teach here. For instance, we've done a ton of science, and social studies stuff, as well as pre-literacy, and simple math skills. I was lucky enough to have a rather high-functioning group, so they were more open to some topics that could have gone over the heads of some of the kids in their age group. I did a lesson on royalty, accompanied by a tea party, and they loved it. Unfortunately, we couldn't get a real-life princess into the classroom, but that's a downside of living in the United States; royalty is not very accessible. We explored the inside of a pumpkin, and an apple, learned what floats, and what doesn't, and played with magnets. I did a lot of lessons of acceptance, being kind, and being aware of what's around you. My students that had a visual impairment were pretty easy too. I only had one child that needed extensive adaptations, but he was such a smart cookie, that it wasn't difficult at all. He was so interested in braille, that it became a game. By the time that he left to move on to Kindergarten, he was learning about the braille cell, and started on the alphabet. It helped that his mom was very involved as well. She wanted to know how to help her child (and let me tell you, this one was a handful, so she needed all the help she could get). He was very social, and we called 'The Mayor of Room 328'. I think he'll be a ladies' man when he gets older, because he loved playing with girls. He had an 'admirer' in all classes; from self-contained, to EI (Early Intervention). One of the girls from the self-contaned class still asks for him today. I wanted to have them play together last year, but the teacher in her classroom was so nasty, that it was close to impossible to get him to work with anyone else. Sadly, the children lost out, but that's what happens when one is rude, and obnoxious. Even though all of my students blossomed, and grew, there was one in particular who deserves recognition. She was labeled on her IEP as someone who functioned on a level of a one-year-old child, but in reality, she was the highest functioning in my room. She was very quiet when she started, and mistrusted all adults. I was so fortunate to have her trust me after a month and a half of school, but the rest were not so lucky. This young lady was adopted, and came to the States when she was only three. However, some of her behaviors indicated that she still remembered her life in the orphanage. She was terrified of getting in trouble, mistrusted adults she didn't know, and hated when someone yelled while she was using the bathroom. We spent the first couple of months of school just getting her used to the idea of making a mistake. Whenever she was asked a question, she would tense up, and shut down. It was heart-wrenching to watch, especially because she was so intelligent. Of course as the year wore on, she opened up more, and got some confidence. She wasn't afraid to tell the other kids what she liked, and disliked (even bossed a few around), and got bolder during lessons. She even showed us her funny side, by taking my hand, and 'hiding' my thumb. I think I laughed for a few days about this one. When she left my classroom, she was a lot better at advocating for herself in terms of what she needed. She knew that in order to see better, she needed a slant board, darker lines, and bigger print. I didn't have her use braille, because it was unnecessary at this point. I'm not sure what her parents are going to want for her as she gets older, but I know that whatever it is, they'll be sure to see that she gets it. It's so obvious that they love their daughter, even if at the beginning of the year they didn't know how much she could really do. I have no shame in admitting that this child was my favorite in the group.
This year, I have the younger bunch, and like I said earlier, they're definitely different. There's not much science that we can do, though with this new curriculum my school adopted, I'll have to figure something out. I'll talk more about the 'joys' of this curriculum in another post. Their abilities are ranging, with some being on top of their game, and others not so much. I have a little girl who is an English-language learner, and for the past month, she's done nothing but cry for her mother. She does understand some English, and has started to talk more, but her current obsession (no doubt used to calm herself) is reciting the daily schedule. I wish she'd at least try to talk to the other kids, but I have a feeling they're not too keen on hearing how long it is until they go home. She's very serious, and I've yet to hear her laugh. I think that at home, she plays with toys that are educational, because she doesn't show any interest in stuffed animals, or anything that might be 'fun'. She loves her puzzles, and is able to cut with scissors. She also knows all her colors, and shapes, and even some letters. She can recognize her name on sight, and enjoys running around. I hope that as the year goes on, she'll start acting more like a child her age, because no three-year-old should be this somber. Now, on the total opposite end of the spectrum, there's a young lady who giggles nonstop, and gets excited so easily! She's my favorite at this point in the year. She's also very intelligent, and knows her shapes, and colors. She has an obsession with monkeys, and whenever possible, makes sure that she has a book 'That's Not My Monkey!' with her (she calls it 'The Monkey Book'). She's easily engaged, and loves playing with her classmates. The day is never boring with this one around.
Now, on to my personal life. As I said earlier, I did get engaged. It happened on my birthday, which was a huge plus, because usually I hate that day. My fiance, Joe, and I met through a dating website, and hit it off right away. He's into history, has read several of the same books as me, and enjoys going to theaters, and museums. What I really love though is the fact that he's accepting of my exceptionality. He simply doesn't care that I have a cane. He can be heard telling me that I can do anything, which is very refreshing. He's very caring, generous, and loyal, so I'm very lucky in that regard. We've had a few downs, but that's only expected. I'm excited about marrying him, even if the process of planning a wedding is a pain in the rear, and filled with stress.
So, I'll end this update with a few pictures. None of them are of my previous, or present students, for privacy reasons (however, if someone I know and trust were to ask to see them, I'd definitely make arrangements).
My fiance and I, last November, a month and a half after we met.
My ring. Like a cheesy romantic that I am, I stare it whenever I have a moment.
My choice of dress. It's being made right now, but the fittings will start in November, if all goes well.
