I've really enjoyed reading the posts about the first days! I've already been working for two weeks and last week was my first week to see kids! Unfortunately, after all my hard work the week before planning and scheduling, my school district decided to cut our week into half days. It's been so hot here that kids are getting sick at school and on the buses, and since the buses aren't air conditioned they've been releasing kids at 11:30. I'd show up to my schools and have no idea where any of my kids were because the schedules were so different. But I'd eventually find a few, pull them aside, and work with them. I'm surprised with how "normal" it feels to be working. Even though I feel lost a lot of the time, I'm getting the hang of it! I'm having to adjust to making sure I see the kids the days and times they need to be seen a week, month, or year. Being able to keep up with that and staying organized is another question. I keep changing my system... I just have to find the perfect one! The paperwork just from the school district alone is crazy and different for each school! And I don't even have to write the IEPs! It's just been so neat to walk through halls and introduce myself as the Speech Therapist to the teachers. I get some funny reactions... mostly they say, "You kids just keep looking younger!" I take it as a complement! I don't know about anyone else but my confidence level has increased just over the past few weeks! I've changed my mindset and actually see myself as a Speech Therapist now instead of a "student." It's fun and I hope everyone else is having fun too!!! Take care!! Love you guys
Kristin

Chanan's first day

Today I started inservice at my elementary school. I was bombarded by MANY new faces who ALL knew me- I'm the only new face on campus this year besides a student teacher! I decorated my room, and yes, I do have a room about the size of 1/2 a classroom! I will have some students at the jr. high and have been told they "possibly" have a place for me there! And now, as it approaches 2:00, I have 2 more hours to just sit here. All my student folders are at another school after being cleaned out over the summer so there isn't much left to do!
Hope y'alls first days are going well! I pray for peace in your hearts and minds, especially if y'all are becoming as overwhelmed as me!

Diarrhea, Dancing, and Diagnostic What?

Here's a few snapshots of my first official day at the office:

Although I thought I would be the most nervous person at work today, I was severely mistaken. Minutes into the workday, I overheard another new hire (a 40+ year old woman who had just received her master's and was hired as a diagnostic SLP) speaking with a seasoned veteran about how she was feeling on this first day. When asked if she was overwhelmed, the woman responded abruptly," I've had diarrhea for weeks just thinking about today!"

As the clock approached noon, I was feeling completely overwhelmed. I had spent the entire morning staring at a list of names and dates of upcoming ARD's and evaluation dates. With only minutes until an hour of freedom for lunch, a few fellow SLP's came into my office and asked if I wanted to join them for lunch. I had just spoken with Chris and agreed to meet him for lunch so I casually said, "No thanks, I'm having lunch with my husband." To my utter shock and amazement, one of the SLP's began to shake her money maker and announced at the top of her voice...."Kay's having lunch with her husband ladies. We all know what that means!!! She'll be coming back into the office with a smile this afternoon!"

At the end of the day, I was required to attend a meeting with the Superintendent of the school along with all the special education staff. The Superintendent began to announce all of the new employees and got to my name and title. Upon reading "Diagnostic Speech Pathologist" he said," What is that? I've never heard of that...Is that a new certification? As I sat down, I was met by a simultaneous eye roll by my fellow colleagues.

All in all, I'd have to say it was a good day. I didn't have diarrhea; I laughed hysterically; and I realized that at the end of the day I should just enjoy myself because ultimately.... no one really knows what we do!!

Hope all of you had a great first day!

That pesky ASHA form

I don't know how many of y'all already knew what to do with the ASHA form Dr. Bender gave us at the end of the year but I sure didn't so I asked! Here's what she said:

"That is your certification and membership application form. You MUST send it in when you are applying for certification which you will not receive until after you finish your CF. You can choose to send it in at the end of your CF (along with your CF paperwork) or you can send it in a little bit before you finish your CF.
If you send in all the paperwork at once, application and CF paperwork, it may take a little bit longer to process your certification (6-8 weeks). Especially if they do not receive a transcript or your NESPA scores. If you send in your application a couple months before (say in January) your certification may not take as long to complete (less than 6 weeks). In the meantime, you will receive notification of any missing documentation for your application and can submit it before you complete your CF process.
Your CF supervisor must continue in a supervisory role until you receive official notice of certification."

However, my other question (that I didn't ask yet, thought maybe one of y'all would know) is do we need to be members of ASHA during our CF year...

Just the Beginning

Hi everyone! It's so exciting that there are so many different ways of keeping in touch! I'm glad that someone thought of this before we graduated. I think it'll be especially helpful since we are all starting new jobs in the SCHOOLS!!!

I am so incredibly weirded out by the idea of not going to class in a couple of weeks. I am overwhelmed with this feeling of, "I don't know what I'm doing." I'm sure it's normal but I'm especially scared because I never had a "normal" school placement. I know I'll be fine... maybe a little confused but I'll make it. I went by my schools the other day just to see what they looked like. I was actually pleasantly surprised. I have three schools... one high school and two middle schools. The high school and one of the middle schools are in relatively new buildings and the other is not. When I went by the older school building, I asked if they knew what room I would be in. She really didn't know and said possibly the clinic! She took me to this room that had a small desk and one bed in it! I wasn't really shocked. I've kind of prepared myself for situations like that but seriously? A clinic? What am I going to do when there's a sick kid in there? Hold a trashcan for the sick one and tell my kid to say the /s/? No... I probably just won't use that room that day but then what? I guess I'll be in a closet! It's exciting, though, to not know what the next day will have in store for you. I like organization but I'm also glad that I won't always be in the same building and same room all day. I do however think those of you who do have one room are incredibly lucky!

I have orientation in a couple of days and then Monday is the big day. I have no idea what my caseload will be or how I'll do my scheduling on the very first day of school. I'm just surprised that I'm having this laid back attitude about it. I just keep thinking, "I'll deal with it when I do know." It's funny because I'm not usually like that. I would normally be calling and harassing people to tell me what's going on. The problem is... the school district doesn't even know. I just found out my schools last week! I'm just glad the Lord is calming my spirit and giving me strength to not panic! Anyway, I hope everyone is having a positive experience. I can't wait to hear about it!

Here's my question for this blog... does anyone have any good ideas of get to know you games or something interesting to start the first therapy session with? I have some but I don't think they're creative enough! Have a great day!!! Love you!!!
Kristin