As a SPED Resource Teacher, I have different groups in my room every 30 minutes for Reading, Writing, and Math. Those with more than 30 minutes of service per subject get to stay in the room to cover the same subjects and Behavior minutes.
The ones who got to stay were the ones with the most behavior needs.
I just recently jumped from being a SPED Facilitator and Education Administrator of 10 years to my new role as a Resource SPED Teacher. (Why change? The monetary bonus was it! Haha. And the calling was deafening!)
My first day was a Friday, so I got to fix the room.
Monday (this week) was my first day with students!
And at the end of the day, I was dead tired!
My teaching experience was from teaching college students to Inclusion SPED High School and Middle School and now, Elementary! I suddenly had this massive RESPECT for all elementary teachers with Special Needs students in their classes! What a day-by-day feat!
My classroom issues on Monday:
- There was too much commotion with the students coming in and out and those staying (in a different grade level).
- The behavior issues have started and true colors have risen!
- The students took advantage and control the big screen and were watching inappropriate videos! (Wahhh!)
Ah, that Monday night, I had to envision what I wanted my classroom to be like, feel like, and what my end goal was!
Solution:
- I made adjustments to my schedule.
- I made use of easel pad papers and covered the screen!
- I created check-in contracts with the students who have incidences of misbehavior!
At the end of Tuesday, I still felt exhausted! Why? My need to control the students with behavior needs was very prominent! I felt (like always) I had to control and be in control of everything!
Yes, that Tuesday night, I had to step back and imagine what I wanted my classroom to be like, feel like, and what my end goal was!
Solution:
- Delegation. I assigned leaders per grade level.
- I created a reward system with my daily check-in points for all students.
That was a fantastic venture! I’ve seen how my students, even with special needs, have stepped up and led! It was a happy experience to see how they all want to get better to achieve their goals!
Still, that Wednesday, I had to shout at this one student who had real stories and incidences of bad behavior, and I met her head-on.
I left the school on time that day – just like what I wanted! To not bring any school work at home and just do what I can within time in school – as much as possible.
But that night, I thought either I should continue my way of doing things – give in to the impulse to shout at kids OR make full use of my check-in behavior contracts and STRATEGIZE (on my behavior towards theirs)!
Thursday, the student asked for forgiveness and said she’d try again. I gave her points (check marks) for all the positive things she did rather than the opposite. Two more students responded positively to the check-in contract!
Every morning, I’d check-in with them (with the check-in behavior contract). I ask them about what they have to achieve for the day (what good behavior looks like). Ask what reward they want. Have them set a goal – number of checks for the day. And have them sign the agreement. They also sign the notes I write for good or bad incident.
It worked!
I also added giving a bit time for individual sharing of the student’s personal stories before I work on their academics! (I love when they laugh with me and when they ask me if they are my favorite student already!) 🙂
And I also made sure my room always smells good! (Thanks Bath and Body Works spray!) Haha!
And today, Friday. All was good! I gave the students their time of day and did some Fun Friday stuff (which I will also do for Happy Monday!) My rule: Show me 90% and up results in their Reading and Math online activities (what the school district is using for progress monitoring), and they get to do what they want (I had ordered fun games – thanks to the school budget for materials and supplies), and I only worked one-on-one with those who most need it (or those who are asking for individual help). It was a happy Friday!
Except.
This little behavior girl called 911 – for no reason! She just saw the telephone and dialed numbers even if she was redirected and told not to touch the phone!
The office manager came at once.
Ah, my little behavior kid cried (and cried, for real) and was very afraid the police might come to detain her!
To soothe her, I said, “Do your work at once so when the police come in, they’ll see you working on your math!” She nodded her head as she wiped the tears in her eyes.
The principal barged in just as she was about to answer the first question.
The little girl looked at me, and I told her to go with the principal.
They talked outside.
She came in, with fresh tears in her eyes, and when the principal left, she said with a big smile, “Ms. Gemma, I think the principal was kinder to me because I cried! Please hide the telephone because I always want to touch it!”
We had the phone area covered with her artwork (reward for finishing a task). (See photo #2)
She was quiet the whole time and (even) begged (for the first time!) not to be let out since she was still finishing her math work!
Ah, life with kids is always exciting.
Different stories.
Different genres.
And each day holds a miracle for growth and change.
With eyes and hearts open, kids are kids!
Today, I left on time, too, as I’m ever ready for my weekend!
Do I miss my SPED facilitation job? Mmmm… no.
I know one day, I’ll close this chapter, too.
But for now, I like the change so far.
I love laughing with the kids. I love seeing them grow little by little. The jump was a good change for my soul. 🙂
