When you're a single mom that works full time its a little hard to get to the unpacking! Once I get home, cook dinner, get the dishes done and make sure the kids are bathed I'm ready to fall into bed!
But ya know what??? I'm okay with it. I know everything will be unpacked in time. I have peace and I'm feeling good about things.
I don't have a sofa yet, I don't have room for one yet, but Hannah doesn't mind lounging upon the floor on cushions!
And weighing heavily on my mind... My job.
Last year I worked in an alternative high school, the teenagers that I worked with had been arrested at least once or were previous patients in a mental hospital. To say the least they were a troubled bunch. Most of them had behavior problems and a lot of people had given up on them. But I miss them... they are back in San Antonio & I'm in Austin now. My new job has many rewards as well, I was hired to work with and help the special education inclusion kids. I'm finding it difficult to accept that some of our children actually get passed through grades without being able to read, the sad thing is... These kids eventually just give up, after awhile they don't want to even try. I work with this one boy, (age 13) that fits this description perfectly. He can barely sound out his letters much less read. I have one on one time with him tomorrow and I truly want to get through to him, its on my heart to encourage him and make him realize that Literacy is the key to everything, I want to make him excited about reading. I want to teach him to read. He has the ability to learn and I wish I could make him see the world through an adults eyes for just 5 minutes, just enough time to show him how hard life is without the very basics of education. And better yet, id like to put my foot in the butts of the parents who don't teach their children the value of an education.... What kind of parent is able to sleep at night knowing their teen aged child can't even tell you the sounds that the letters in an alphabet make?
I work with children with learning disabilities, special needs and behavior problems. I believe I've found my calling.
The pictures?... Well, that would be the maze I now call home :)
I've unpacked bits and pieces and found a melted candle, that's Texas for ya! The plant is my house warming gift to myself... The cockney bought me the Tower Bridge key ring and the Tinker bell key is my new house key. Ahhh the silly things I take pictures of... My grown boys make fun of me!
I work in special education too only at preschool level. As soon as I can I start phonics and literacy skills, letter recognition etc... It's as important to me as toilet training! None of my kids leave my class without knowing their basic ABCs! Is so sad to meet and older kid with out the basics. I always ask why nobody bothered for them.
ReplyDeleteAll that aside I hope your unpacking goes well x Happy new apartment!
Good luck with finding a way to reach that boy! It would be such a gift for both of you if you can find the key. Perhaps if you know what excites him you can find a way to leverage that into incentive to learn more about it by reading? Easier said than done. Thank goodness for people like you who do try to do everything they can for our kids! I'm right with you wishing their parents would put as much effort into their kids as well!
ReplyDeleteBut, unpacking . . . oooooo, what a job! At least you can do that as you get the time and energy! As long as you are all together and safe and happy . . . the "stuff" will sort itself out! :)
Good luck with reaching out to that boy. I know how frustrating it is I work with complex needs families. They get mad and frustrated because they can't read and find it hard asking for help.
ReplyDeleteGosh your going to be busy with all that unpacking. But its fun finding things you forgot about! take care xx
It's unbelieveable in this day and age that kids in countries such as the US and the UK aren't being taught the most basic education. I believe it all starts at home, Daniel was reading when he started school at four years old, and Eleanor was well on her way. I can't understand why people have children when they're not prepared to give them their time. I do hope you manage to help the boy, being taught to read would be the greatest gift that anyone could give him. Good luck with the unpacking.
ReplyDeletethat sounds like good work you are doing there Tammy. Very inspiring. I do feel for you with all those boxes! As long as you can reach clothes and food I guess it will be okay for now!! Gosh you will just have to do a bit at a time. Heather x
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are working hard!! Do you get half term like we do? If you did it would only be one week until you get a whole week off!! And not too long until the Easter Holidays (two weeks off here) do you get that either? I work full time now, so don't get half term holidays. What I meant to say that it won' t be long to you get some time off and then you can start to unpack at home!!
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend! Lizzy x
I'm just catching up here Tammy and I'm so happy to see that you got the apartment and that you're in ... I'm sure it will all be straight soon.
ReplyDeleteAnd wow, your job sounds incredibly rewarding :D
Your work sounds fascinating. I'm not sure what his level of ability is but maybe you could begin reading to him from one of the YALSA 2012 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers. These are books that have been judged to be so accessible, exciting and entertaining that they will get even the most reluctant young adults reading. Now I know his reading level is not there yet, but if you can get his imagination going then maybe it will inspire him. You can also get the Stephen Fry-narrated Harry Potter audiobooks!
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