You know, I usually would't write when I feel as rough as I did during that last post. And I think I even noted that in there.
But life isn't only snow angels and sledding hills. It's 100-pound scoopfuls of snow moving up a snow ramp over and over and over again. Day after day.
It gets exhausting!
So yes, you did get to hear me rant, but I'm feeling better about things.
For one, Brady really enjoys sledding down the driveway.
He is so stinking cute!
Granted, that day was icy, but he would give himself a push off, slide down like a penguin, do a push-up to get out, grab his sled and drag it up the driveway for another round. He did this so many times, I was amazed! I have never seen him enjoy sledding like this before. On his own even.
On Monday we got some rain and a thaw, so we made a snowman! Now it's back to snowing again, but at least we are getting accustomed to playing in it instead of just cursing at it. Oh, that was just me.
But we do still have snow.
Brady's behavior is much better in school as well. He was on some GI tract meds that, I believe made him quite ornery. A couple weeks off of those, and he is more like himself. Whew!
Okay, now you know I didn't bury myself in a snowbank. Thank you if you were one of the people who reached out to encourage me. I needed it!
So now what?
Did I tell you I started substitute teaching one or two day a week at the school here?
Here's how that came about.
I work from home. I am busy doing all the things, and I love it, but I miss people. I thought, why am I depriving myself of hoards of people when I live in a city?
I knew I needed something flexible. Subbing. Check!
I needed something meaningful. A building full of moldable minds. Check!
And I needed something close. Less than a mile commute. Cheee-eck!!!
So I did all the paperwork and finger printing and transcripts and trainings and, finally... I became a certified substitute teacher!
Although it was a somewhat rigorous process, I felt very pulled to keep going and make it happen. It's one of those things you can't really explain except: I felt called to do it.
But here's the irony. I went to college to be a high school English teacher, so I thought, "I'll sub in the high school! Those are my kind of kids!"
And when the high school job postings came rolling through, they would get taken before I could even look at my calendar to see if I was available.
"Okay, okay. I'll expand my search to middle and elementary school."
And then I saw why the elementary school posted a need for substitute teachers. The para-professional jobs hung there like... clouds.
"Okay, then," I shifted my mindset and my gears. "Let's try an elementary para shift."
Now, I'll be honest. Paras get paid less. And their jobs are -- from what I was about to experience -- not easier. Sure, paras aren't in charge of a class of 20 kids at once, they're in charge of one or two.
But the one or two can be much more difficult than all 20 "typical kids" combined.
I will also say that my son has a para who works with him throughout the day. He is one of those kids who need extra guidance and strong supervision.
So I guess it was only fitting that I found myself in the less-selected role of a para-professional.
Without a doubt, it takes a "chosen" person to fill that role.
If I had not spent 10 years raising my son, I would have walked out the first day. That is a bold statement, but 10 years ago, I didn't know how to communicate with someone who didn't really... talk. Or someone who would scream in a classroom. Or someone who would run away down the hall without warning.
But I knew from experience that I just had to look that student in the eyes and pour love from my heart. This helped a lot. Showing fear and confusion would have only made things worse.
Yup, the universe picked me to help with this! Ha!
Since then I have chased other kids down the hall, been screamed at, been scratched, kicked, hit, mooned and all that fun stuff, but like all the other amazing paras, I do my best to remain calm and focused on the goal.
The CLK school has an excellent team of paras. I mean top notch. Everyone helps everybody else, and they are able to calm the kids quickly once things esccalate. Kudos to them and all the administrative staff for keeping operations running smoothly. And A+ to the teachers who maintain great control of their classes.
I am really impressed.
Usually when I think a place is great, and then I work there, the magic wears off. But not this school. Behind the scenes is where the magic unfolds, and I'm so grateful to be a part of it -- even as very part time as I am.
Plus, it sure gives me that dose of people in a very meaningful way. I mean, wow!
And one of the perks?
The kids will come up to me and ask, "Are you Braeden's mom?"
"Yes, I am."
"That's Braeden's mom!" the tell their friends. Ha! I feel like a celebrity too.
And when my little guy sees me in the halls, he shouts, "That's my mom!" and stops to give me a giant hug.
I tell ya. My part time job couldn't be much more rewarding than that.
Now that your heart is warm, here are some updates!
Winter Wonderfest is happaning in Copper Harbor on Saturday, December 14th! Here's a link to that. I'll be there peddling books and art!
And you must check out our latest podcast episode with Cheryl Ochodnicky from the Keweenaw Agate Shop. She's a gem herself!
Thanks for reading. See you next time!
Comentarios