More Random Thoughts

An old note I found:

4-29-16 "I discovered Wilbooks by Bruce Larkin, he has fake bios/tall tales at the end of every book! Different each time! Delightful! Whimsical! Cool! Like: Bruce Larkin lives in a converted missile silo. and Bruce Larkin doesn't understand why more people don't appreciate you. And Traffic Lights malfunction when Bruce Larkin's allergies act up. Ha ha ha. Most of the books were in Spanish, for the bilingual school kids. I learned the word Zorro, which I always only knew as, well, Zorro the Gay Blade, means Fox. And lizard is el lagarto. When we have so many geckos, we should know the word for lizards!"

Other Thoughts:

Most of the high school age (which is really 14-21) kids/young adults in Special Education programs are pretty set in their ways by this time. There's still a chance to be a positive influence in their lives, but not really to alter their behavior and reactions significantly, if that was ever possible, depending on their diagnosis and conditions. I learned a lot about autism and that was very valuable, but one of the factors of autism is that allow there are a few similarities, it is different for every person. It would be extremely helpful if clearly written information was passed on to the next teachers, as well as notes from the family or parents. I was meeting these student people for the first time and having to not only get to know them (which takes time with anyone) but also having to find out how they learn best and what rewards they are willing to work for, and if this had been conveyed on a master document with all significant parties contributing, it would have made my transition into the class much more fluid. I don't mind asking questions, but the manager was tired of answering them, and I also wasn't always sure what were the right questions to ask. Also, two of the other teachers were near retirement, and it was clear they were halfway checked out and not really interested in training me. It was as if I was expected to come in there totally experienced and trained, although I never lied about anything, they had the impression I should have known everything. I assumed they were familiar with my resume/application, but I guess not! I think HR should have not only conveyed what my experience and background was but before assigning me to that particular class I should have either met or been interviewed as well by the teacher since I would be depending on her for guidance and instruction all year. I've already said some of this before, but I keep thinking about it a lot...

Moving on:

Even though I am excited to begin a new school year at a different location, I'm already thinking more and more about how I want my work to focus more on my art and writing too, but mainly art.

We watched a great movie last night called The Incredible Jessica James. The main title character was a passionate playwrite seeking to be produced and also working in a non-profit theater company teaching children improv and playwriting. She was frustrated that she was getting so many rejection letters about her own work, but she was dedicated to continuing to try. I am stoked to have made this accomplishment of working in a school, but I have to be honest. I did a lot of babysitting and bottom and nose wiping last year. Only on a few occasions and a handful of moments did I feel that I was having the experience of working in education. They were just so random and fleeting and also unpredictable. In special education, especially with autism, they say you need to be hyper aware and on the lookout for teaching and communication opportunities everywhere all the time. It's true, it is. I am just getting to where I am feeling like I am constantly missing out on doing something with my art appreciation interests. It's my own fault of course. I need to create the time and motivation to spur me to create. But! It would also be extremely helpful to have the physical space to do that. So, bar magically getting a studio area/room (like my friend Sarah uses their garage, which is part of the house) I just need to do the organizing and clutter clearing that I keep going on about, and start doing some art. It might be limited to smaller dimensions, no longer am I able to do five-foot tall canvas paintings like I could in school, but I will be working on it, and that's what matters most. And if my end goal is to illustrate (and write) children's books, then I shouldn't need a lot of room. But what I do need is more simplicity and space to think, you know what I mean? 

Anyway,

We are supposed to to try to hit some golf balls at a driving range for the first time, so Bless All, gtg.