And so this is Christmas

Happy Christmas! It's finally the long awaited Winter break from school and I am home with our bearded dragon, a few remaining geckos, two fish and me myself and I. I made myself be busy yesterday so I could stay home today *and clean the apartment. I might go see a movie though, I'm not sure yet. I really want to see the new Spiderman animated film. 

It's awesome to have a vacation from school, but I wish we could go up to the mountain where there's snow. I also really hope that the students have someone to continue their learning habits while school is out so that they don't forget everything. But that's out of our control. 
I am going to make some little face sculptures out of clay and try to motivate to do some drawing and painting too. So much I want to do, but I also want to get some rest and relaxation. Art is relaxing for me though, and also feels like I'm being productive, but I still need to be motivated to do it. Peace and Love.

Hello World!

So, it's been so long that I have to almost start over, but that's not feasible so I will just start from now.

My current position at the same school but in a different classroom is a whole new ball of wax. I am working with a blind student who is also non verbal and has autism so I need to use some ASL and try to help her practice using a braille typewriter. It's very interesting for me, and the other teachers, but also frustrating because we don't know exactly how she learns or what we need to do to help her.

I also work with the other students who are all on different levels of intellectual ability, and most of all we have kids who are essentially incontinent because they were never able to be potty trained. So that level of independence doesn't exist and we need to do numerous diaper and pull-up changes throughout the day.

I don't go to outside classes elsewhere in the school building anymore, except for the gym or the cafeteria for PE and 'work experience'. So in a way I am more isolated; no more drama class or computer animation class, or ceramics. I tried to balance this by attending the art club meetings after school once a week because I am also friendly with the teacher, but I have been so emotionally and physically tired that I have only been to two of those.

Something different form last year is that we go on field trips in this class and even though I have some negative memories of school bus experiences from my first year, the outings have been very successful. We have gone to the movies and a pumpkin patch and a holiday tree festival. Our teacher is new to the school and really supportive and knowledgeable about her work. She's very caring and shows great concern for us and the students. I will end this return to writing on that positive note. Thank you and goodnight!