As one of my former students, Jesse, used to say "long day Harrison, long day"! I just got home a few minutes ago from parent/teacher interviews so yes indeedy Jesse, it was a long day. Jesse had a developmental disability along with Tourettes - if you know anything about Tourettes one of the characteristics is the tendency to yell out obscenities at inappropriate times, which is pretty much all of the time. Fortunately Jesse had led a rather sheltered life and the worst she could come out with was "piss, poo, pee"! Another characteristic is to say the same things over and over again along with sometimes quite violent vocal and physical tics. So suffice it to say that when Jesse started saying "long day Harrison" at 8am I knew it was going to be a veeeeeeerrrry long day. As it is with every developmental student I've ever had the privilege to teach Jesse had many redeeming qualities: she was friendly, sociable, curious, sensitive to others, loved babies and dogs and never forgot a face or a name - she remembered every person she ever met - including our country's prime minister - Stephen Harper.
Tonight I had only one parent show up so she and I had a good ol' chat for almost two hours. As she was going to leave (for about the 100th time) she said - "I like talking to you!" That made my day. She really struggles with having an 18 year old son with autism. He's a bright boy but crippled with anxiety. She says she tries not to think about it too much or she'd have a breakdown. A couple of years ago after a long interview with her I decided I would always try to give her at least an hour to talk instead of the usual 10 minutes as she always seemed to need to unload. It's like therapy for her and she knows she's talking to someone who knows her son extremely well and cares about him. And I do, I just love that boy.
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| Jesse at track and field |
A few months ago I was at their home to help fill out an assessment for adult services. She served us some homemade blueberry cake that was to die for! (She's polish and makes
EVERYTHING from scratch, including pierogies) and tomorrow she's going to send in the recipe for me and if you're really good I'll share it with you! That woman can
COOK!
So now I'm going to go crawl into bed with my glass of wine and watch a movie with Michael - it's that one about Drs. Freud and Jung - "A Dangerous Method" I think it's called. I'll likely fall asleep and miss the ending like I usually do! Tomorrow is casual day to raise money for Autism AND it's multicultural day so I'm putting the diet aside for a day so I can enjoy some ethnic food.
YAY for Friday!!
Did you notice I never mentioned money once???
What no money? You mean it doesn't rule our life?
ReplyDeleteWhat you have done for that mom can't be expressed in words.
ReplyDeleteYou are a hero.
And nobody paid me to say that.....there! I mentioned money so your blog is safe and won't be throw out of the PF club.lol
You talk so passionately about your job Jane, I'm not surprised the parents want to talk to you, knowing how much you care.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your wine and film.
It ain't always about the money honey!
Sft x
Teachers such as yourself are a rare bird these days, giving Mom's extra time to talk with you about thier children is such a gift. Hugs to you for caring!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWish you were closer Jane, cause I would LOVE to have an hour with you to chat. :)! I really like the idea of you visiting..just wish it were really happening!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a gift to your students and their parents Jane! I hope you enjoy casual day today!!
ReplyDeleteI too miss the end of pretty much every movie I watch... sigh... Sounds like you make a difference in your students' and their parents' lives daily Jane. You should be proud :)
ReplyDeletethanks Psychsarah! I managed to stay awake last night for the whole movie - it was quite good - I hadn't known much about the relationship between Freud and Jung - fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI ended up staying home today - woke up with sore throat and nausea and a few other unmentionable symptoms! Blechh! I guess you could I was plenty casual today as I stayed in my pj's!
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm serious about getting out on the road when I retire - I think it would be the most amazing experience...stay tuned!
ReplyDeleteThis mom was quite adversarial the first couple of years that I knew her and had a long history of being confrontational with the higher ups in the school board. We've managed to come to an understanding the last couple of years and I'm thankful for that.
ReplyDeleteI stayed awake through the whole movie!! Amazed myself :) Add this one to your list if you haven't seen it already - "A Dangerous Method".
ReplyDeleteThanks Sluggy! After so many challenges in Jan. & Feb. I've kind of pushed thoughts of $$ to the side. So all consuming at times. (Of course as a result I overspent this month but I DON"T CARE!!)
ReplyDeleteNo and to tell you the truth I get sick of thinking about $$ sometimes! Wow, I can't believe I just said that!
ReplyDeleteYou make me laugh! My mother was a grade one teacher and always had interesting stories to tell. It's a terribly hard job, in that you give so much of yourself to your students. If you're a good teacher, that is. And it sounds like you're a good teacher. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe "no money" post is okay because you did mention food (twice) instead. :) More parents should come to see you because you obviously care so much. What a wonderful thing you did for that Mom.
ReplyDeleteFunny! So more about food and less about money - I think I can handle that!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann - there are great rewards to make up for the hard days. I still remember my Gr. 1 teacher so well - she mysteriously changed from Miss Caldwell to Mrs. Davis part way through the year - I thought that was pretty magical!
ReplyDeleteYou are so thoughtful to save extra time for this loving mother. You always impress me with your intuition and kind ways.
ReplyDeletesorry you had a long day. I wish the good days were longer LOL!
ReplyDeletebtw does anyone know where Judy is?! her blog's missing again and I'm trying to catch up on stuff..came back after the weekend and it was gone and can't remember which blog was asking the same thing so Ic an go back and check! guess I'll start clicking on blog links and see if I can find which one it was!
ReplyDeleteoops posting again so Ic an subscribe...sigh..it's al ong night LOL!
ReplyDeleteI read on someone's blog (can't remember which one now) that she was taking a break and then she'll be back. Hope it's not too long because I love my daily dose of Judy!!
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't happen very often (twice a school year) that we have parent/teacher interviews so I can't complain too much. Friday I felt unwell so stayed home so that makes up for the long day!! And yes, today I feel a bit better but now my back hurts!?!
ReplyDeleteThanks SonyaAnn - it's gratifying that she and I have buried our previous "hatchet" and now can call each other friend.
ReplyDeleteI have enough room for all of you! Let me know!!
ReplyDelete