Re: Re: becoming a special ed teacher-need advice

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I have been very quiet lately, but still reading emails and trying to keep

up.

Brook's teacher has been suggesting that I become a special Ed teacher for a

while now. I have been considering it, but of course with daycare issues for

Brook and my 5 yr. old daughter to consider I didn't take it too seriously

until lately. There is a program here in Ca called Project Pipeline, you

basically teach and take classes to get your credential simultaneously. The

program

last for 3 years and it is a special Ed level 2, mild to moderate credential.

They are not doing the SH one presently. Anyway I am wondering if it would be

too much to do this as a career and also to do it at home. The kids would be

mild to moderate which is already different from Brook, but I know there would

be a lot of the same issues to deal with. It is an interesting program, but

of course, they get you teaching in the classroom right away before you are

credentialed, you have support and mentors and I do have background with Brook.

Also I am not that sure what kids with mild to moderate means? What are

these kids like? Unfortunately they don't have summer programs open now that I

could visit, but I have been asking around. They are in desperate need of

special Ed teachers here in Ca which is why they have this program.

So if anyone has any feelings or thoughts I would appreciate your

comments. I am going to take the CBEST and try to get all of my requirements

for

the program in place but I am not sure that it is the right thing for me to do.

Plus 3 years of teaching and going to school at the same time seems very

long. But the advantage is that I would have summers and school vacations

periods

off that would coincide with my kids. It is all happening very quickly,

school starts next month, I could always do it next year too, if I decide I

really

want to do this.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Marisa,

Miles 16, Brook 13, Genevieve 5

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/11/2003 8:04:57 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

poggim1@... writes:

> Brook's teacher has been suggesting that I become a special Ed teacher for

> a

> while now.

Hi Marisa,

Is this a passion of yours? How many courses are you taking in a semester?

Are the courses in the evening? Would you be working full-time? Would you have

the time for reading and working on your school papers in addition to working,

go for it. If this is something your truly want, you will find a way to make

it happen. I wouldn't be concerned with the degrees of intelligences that you

would be working with. Each child is unique and has their individual gifts. I

am certain that you could make a difference in your student's lives. It sounds

like a great program and a wonderful opportunity. Let us know what you decide.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 10 DS/OCD ?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/11/03 8:05:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, poggim1@...

writes:

<< Hi Everyone,

I have been very quiet lately, but still reading emails and trying to

keep

up.

Brook's teacher has been suggesting that I become a special Ed teacher for a

while now. >>

If you decide to do it, YOU WILL BE GREAT MARISSA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gail :-)

[Guest guest]

Marisa --

Wow! As a fellow Californian, I say go for it! We need special ed

teachers, especially those with the special perspective and empathy that

only a mom like you can bring. You know you'll have tons of support

from us!!

I'm glad you wrote, I've been thinking about you. Is Brook going to

Camp Krem this year? Nicolas is going for the first time, in session 4,

from July 20 - 29. I have you and to thank for giving me the info

about the camp last year.

Good luck with your decision. I know you'll do the right thing for you

and your family.

Carole

mom to Nicolas, 8 ds/asd/celiac

poggim1@... wrote:

>Hi Everyone,

> I have been very quiet lately, but still reading emails and trying to keep

>up.

>Brook's teacher has been suggesting that I become a special Ed teacher for a

>while now. I have been considering it, but of course with daycare issues for

>Brook and my 5 yr. old daughter to consider I didn't take it too seriously

>until lately. There is a program here in Ca called Project Pipeline, you

>basically teach and take classes to get your credential simultaneously.

>

[Guest guest]

Carole,

My kids will be there on the 3rd of August. We can't wait for the break.

On Saturday, July 12, 2003, at 08:48 AM, Carole Gissel wrote:

[Guest guest]

That's cool. I'm glad that your going to be a special-ed teacher. I'm gonna be

one also.

rebecca

Marisa --

Wow!   As a fellow Californian, I say go for it!  We need special ed

teachers, especially those with the special perspective and empathy that

only a mom like you can bring.  You know you'll have tons of support

from us!!

I'm glad you wrote, I've been thinking about you.  Is Brook going to

Camp Krem this year? Nicolas is going for the first time, in session 4,

from July 20 - 29.  I have you and to thank for giving me the info

about the camp last year. 

Good luck with your decision.  I know you'll do the right thing for you

and your family.

Carole

mom to Nicolas, 8 ds/asd/celiac

--

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[Guest guest]

Hi Charlyne,

I don't know if I would call it a passion. But I know that I would be

very good at it. You work full time teaching and take courses every other

Friday

afternoon and Saturday. It would be a lot of work, plus juggling childcare,

which could be a problem with Brook especially. I'm not really concerned with

the degree of intelligence of the mild to moderate kids in special Ed, but am

more concerned with the types of behaviors that I would encounter there. It's

a different environment to the one I am used to in Brook's special day class.

I'm not saying I couldn't handle it, but would I like it as much as working

with the kids in SH classes. Anyway the whole thing is still up in the air, as

there are all of these requirements for admission to the program. I have a BA

in French from UC Berkeley, which should get me into the program, but the

Dept. of Ed at UC isn't cooperating. I won't go into the details, but it could

be

a roadblock. I am still going to take the CBEST which would allow me to

substitute. The CBEST test covers math through 10th grade level that I haven't

had

in 30 years, so I am having to relearn all off it and how to write essays,

etc. So I am already studying a lot and driving my DH and Miles crazy with math

and essay writing questions. Substituting might be a way to start and see if I

really like it. I just have to be careful I don't get in over my head, as I

sometimes do, taking on too much, forgetting how much attention and time Brook

needs, etc. Thanks for the encouragement.

Marisa

[Guest guest]

Thanks Gail, we'll see what happens.

Marisa

[Guest guest]

Hi Carole,

Brook already went to camp. The counselors did great with him. He was

in session 2, and everything was fine. Apparently Brook taught them a lot,

from the letter they sent back, and they said they had a lot of fun with him. We

know call him " Little Yoda. " I hope Nicolas has a good time at camp.

Marisa

[Guest guest]

Marisa --

I'm glad Brook had such a good time. It's nice for me to hear that the

couselors did well with him. I'm just a tad nervous about sending my

" baby " away for a little while...guess all parents go through this but

it's a little worse with us, I think. I'd love to hear what Brook

taught them...

Carole

poggim1@... wrote:

>Hi Carole,

> Brook already went to camp. The counselors did great with him. He was

>in session 2, and everything was fine. Apparently Brook taught them a lot,

>from the letter they sent back, and they said they had a lot of fun with him.

We

>know call him " Little Yoda. " I hope Nicolas has a good time at camp.

>Marisa

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/14/2003 3:26:49 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

poggim1@... writes:

> I don't know if I would call it a passion. But I know that I would be

> very good at it. You work full time teaching and take courses every other

> Friday

> afternoon and Saturday.

Hi Marisa,

You would be the best! The school schedule isn't too bad. Just do it. I would

find a teacher to help you brush up with the math, my worse subject. Speaking

about French, one of the children with DS, 7th grader, took French this year

for his language choice. The middle school was not too thrilled but approved

it. He lives in the next town over and did great. The regular teacher would

spend a few minutes after class with him. The teacher also learned a few things

from him. Just a thought.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 10 DS/OCD ?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/14/2003 3:26:46 PM Eastern Standard Time,

poggim1@... writes:

> e CBEST test covers math through 10th grade level that I haven't had

> in 30 years, so I am having to relearn all off it and how to write essays,

> etc. So I am already studying a lot and driving my DH and Miles crazy with

> math

> and essay writing questions. Substituting might be a way to start and see if

> I

> really like it. I just have to be careful I don't get in over my head, as I

>

> sometimes do, taking on too much, forgetting how much attention and time

> Brook

> needs

Marisa, I am always in awe of people who have the courage and tenacity to go

back to school. I will never forget the day Duff told me he wanted to get

his masters and we'd all need to move to Boston (pre-Allie and Maddie...ONLY

three then...LOL). It was INCREDIBLY hard and he couldn't have done it

without me and his parents and brothers. That was 12 years ago and there are

no

regrets...only growth and new friendships. It's amazing how relationships

even evolve when you go through things like that....Good luck and hang in

there!!! You'll be GREAT!!

Donna