"You're doing that thing teachers do..."

As this week comes to a close, it's ending proves to be about as crazy as its introduction.  Finding it difficult to even make time for lunch these days, I have felt as if I have been in fast-forward this whole week.  As the tornado spirals around me, I find it hard not to get caught up in the to-do lists.  Every so often, I remind myself to come up for air, take a glimpse around, and realize that all of the red tape is worth the effort...most days.

Though I don't play favorites, I must say, my relationship with A never fails to be entertaining.  Several of my students are very literal, making it difficult as by nature I am sarcastic.  That does not fly well with students with learning disabilities, and it really doesn't fly with kids with autism.  Fortunately, A is one of my students that I can tease and give attitude to just as she does toward me.  This week, her famous line that she has coined is "you're doing that thing, that thing that teachers do".  Apparently guilt trips, and confidence boosts are universal teacher traits, and having displayed these, I have apparently joined the masses, good or bad.  I laugh because somehow, it works every time!

Christmas came early this year.  Not only did I get a SmartPen for my classroom, I also picked up my brand new TV today!!! Since before the school year even started, I have been drooling over the SmartPen.  I am convinced that God himself invented it; though I might eat my words when I open the package shortly and realize I have to not only learn how to use it, but do so well enough to train others.  Despite this, I am so excited to test this new classroom tool out.  The pen can be used to record anything, and when plugged into the computer, automatically transfers the audio to text....brilliant for kids with dyslexia and processing disorders!  Not only can it do that, you take notes with it, then tap it on paper, and it reads what you wrote back to you.  Never has technology excited me so much...I feel like such a nerd, and I love it!  I think this could be huge for my students.
I am also excited for our second new addition, a flat screen TV that will be MOUNTED to the wall so that we will have no more mishaps and accidental TV catastrophes again.  These both were purchased through a donation that someone made to the WCHS special ed. department....what an incredible blessing!
Now I am crossing my fingers that one day I can get a SmartBoard; though I'm not holding my breathe, the idea has been tossed around.  Please let there be funding, please let there be funding!!!!  But I figure, since many of the resources left in my classroom are older than dirt, I might as well introduce new technology into the lovely modular whenever possible.

Well, I must rest up because next week the Tornado will undoubtedly swallow me whole as I have 3 IEP meetings, an entire day of training for new high school teachers (yes, this means entrusting the clan to a sub), and multiple other meetings....I'm pumped.

Clinging for dear life and some how loving it,
Ms. Phillips