Just wondering how school is going!
Moms View Message Board: Parenting Children with Special Needs: Just wondering how school is going!
I know that I don't post on this board because I don't have a "special needs" child. But I do read here and learn so much from you all! It really helps me to have this insite into some kids when I help out at the school! I miss reading updates from you all and am wondering how school is going for everyone? That seems to be the root of allot of topics here!
Things are not going well for my son right now. He was in tears tonight because he thinks he's the Worst kid ever. He overheard some teachers talking about him today saying they don't know what to do with him. He's worried that he's going to be kicked out of school because his tics are so bad. He also had a nature walk today and ran ahead because of the group because he got "overexcited" and was then afraid of the EA because she was "pointing at the ground in a scary way." It's been really rough going.... His PPT is on October 18th
Lauran,
would a teachers assistant help? The seit last year said a teachers assistant is better than a para. The teachers assistants are going to be teachers. She said it can be good or bad depending...
I would call the principal and tell them he over heard them talking about him.. (Maybe it might be a good idea depending on the situation..) That wasn't nice. That has to be bad for his self esteem.
John's teacher called yesterday. She called everyone. I am sending the heavy vest in and heavy turtle. They just weigh him down so he can't move during circle time. She has some ideas on how to help him sit still during circle time like assigning everyone their own spot and she have him a stuffed animal to hold but I know that sitting still in circle time is john's biggest problem.
She also was thinking about giving him a calendar to look at during calendar time to make it more interesting for him... Calendar circle time must be boring... If there is no pictures john has alot of problem sitting in on the rug and just listening. She is going to do a sticker chart for sitting still at circle time and raising hand for him.
She said he did work nicely at his desk. He had good concentration and finished his work. He also tried to encourage someone who was having a problem drawing a picture. So she complimented him. Usually I find the teachers don't see John's good points and only the bad points so that was encouraging.
She also did a schedule for the whole class with pictures so they can know what is coming next in the day. This is for transition.
He want to ride the bus to kindergarten so I am letting him.. Sigh... 45 minute ride to come home... But I guess it might help him grow up. And he wants to do it. So...
I was kind of worried they are going to want to toss him in the special ed class cause he is more trouble than the other kids. I think camp went really well this summer. But there isn't any circle time in camp... Sigh....
I have noticed a tremendous improvement in John. He can tell me multiple things he did at school. The conversations are getting longer. We were having pizza and he was telling me all the facts he knows.
Sand is made from glass. (Okay I thought he was wrong but daddy says sand is made from natural glass.)
Up is really north and down is really south. So he points sideways.
Rain falls straight down and stays there forever. (So I guess he doesn't know about the rain cycle.
So he is figuring the world out for himself logically. Sort of...
Little mommy brag he has figured out how to play
Joyful joyful we adore thee
Twinkle twinkle little star
and three little mice
on the keyboard by ear.
I thought that was good. He taught me how to do it now. I never thought I could figure that out.
School is okay here. Andrew is having quite a bit of trouble, but his teacher is really working with me. I am fighting the school for a new eval to get him some services. The teacher agrees, the rest of the school wants me to wait and give him more time. I requested it in writing though, so they have a month to gather info and make a formal finding one way or another. He can't read, this is a huge issue, he is an auditory learner, so he get very overstimulated/distracted in a classroom. She was making him stay in for recess and do work, which is great as far as getting work done, it is bad as far as behavior, the kid HAS to move around or he is unbearable at home. So we are working on reward systems to stay on task, he gets 4 tickets each morning, if he is off task she removes them. If he is doing extra good work she gives him extras. he brings them home and shops from mom. 3 tickets for a piece of gum, 15 tickets for a special pencil, etc. This is helping, but he is definitely a handful.
Feona, I have never heard of a difference between a Teachers assistant and a paraprofessional. Here they are all called paraprofessional because of pay grade. I think some are learning to become teachers, but a student teacher would be one in college who is practice teaching. I think it is a manner of semantics here and some are headed that way and some aren't.
You know I think it might be a New York thing. I think teachers assistants are paras in other parts of the country. New York is the most overeducated section of the country so I think they make an distiction here. Since they can have their pick of they hire.
Teachers assistants are bachelor degree students (mostly seniors) or graduate degree students ) getting their masters degree in like elementary ed. You need a masters degree to teach elementary school in New York State now.
Teacher assistants are mainly hired from student teachers that worked with a teacher.
Teacher assistants are paid and student teachers are not. Really depends on the area I bet. Teachers assistants would get paid about $10 an hour.
Here teacher assistants are in kindergarten or first grade classes. Sometimes the parents association pays their salary.
Student teacher is some thing else... Free help for the classroom while they they get college or masters credit. Mandatory classroom experience for undergraduate and graduate degrees - 6 months.
Paraprofessionals are I have no idea... just can have a high school diplomia. Usually this job would pay 7 dollars an hour in New York or something like that.
Most student teachers with a bachelor degree would do substitute teaching because it pays better than para or teacher assistant.
I know this because I have a graduate degree in elementary education that I never used. Also the seit explained it to me.
Interesting feona. I have a teaching degree too (special ed) , so I did my share of student teaching! In our district we have teachers or we have paras, that is it. If you follow a kid around all day you are a para. You get paid 70 a day (sounds really high when you compare cost of living there!). A sub para only gets 50 bucks. You do have to have a high school diploma, but no other degree. They do tend to get people with some experience, just because of who applies I suppose. As a sub with a degree I get paid 80 a day for one day assignments. If I work long term (like a month) it goes up to 120 a day.
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