It's not your fault...

This week has definitely been the longest week of my CF yet! I flew in from California very late on Sunday night and have been trying to catch up on my sleep ever since. On top of sleep deprivation, I've been sick since I got off the plane. So, needless to say, I haven't been at the top of my game.

On Tuesday of this week, when I was feeling absolutely terrible, I arrived at one of my schools to do some testing on a child. To my surprise, the normal testing room was occupied by an entire classroom. After some investigating, I learned that a gas leak and subsequent lack of heat in an entire wing of the school had caused several classes to be displaced. There were kids and teachers everywhere! I needed to have this child tested by the end of the week, so I had no other option than to test in a tiny, tiny closet! Not only is this room small, but it has a large server-type thing hanging from the ceiling that makes all kinds of noises. Normally, this wouldn't have been such a big deal. However, because of my sinus infection, my ears were not functioning at full capacity. As I attempted to give this child a language and articulation test, I frequently had to ask him to repeat his answers because I couldn't hear him. As I said, "Sorry, please say that again" for the millionth time, the boy said in a sweet voice, "It's not your fault. I'm still in speech!" He'll never know how many times I thought about that moment this week to help me survive!

"God was the first student of the month"

Today the students of the month were announced. My 1st graders were fighting about who was the first student of the month in their classes when one student, who always has to have the biggest and best story of all, said "i was the 1st student of the month ever," without her r's, as NONE of my artic students can say that sound! Another student chimed in- "Nu-uh! God was the first student of the month!"

Completely Forgot

Hey Girls,

Happy Thanksgiving first of all. I just wanted to say that I had completely forgot about this whole blog thing until Kay and Chris came to San Diego and we were hanging and Kay reminded me. I was so bummed that I had been missing out! But I read all the posts and you guys have some great stories. Kay got to hear a few of my stories. For those of you who don't know I am at a High School and another school they call and "Academy of Learning" which is 6-12 graders....and its more like a zoo full of high level autistic kids who haven't been able to function in any other setting in the district....this sounds exciting right??? not Most recent update is that a student I dreaded working with 2x week finally got arrested for punching a teacher 3 times. We all knew he was a ticking time bomb. So yeah its been eye opening and I can't wait to not go back next year! But as for everything else things are great and I love my job. I like that we can share tips on here. My one things is that I use the students homework all the time! I feel like a glorified tutor, but all the students goals were written pretty much to where I have to use their school work. Neways it works well.

Reflecting on my job & life.

So I had been thinking lately about whether or not I really like working in an elementary school. I know most of you are shocked after that statement. You never thought I would say that, but I really think I would enjoy working with just the preschool age children. I don't know how to do that in an elementary school. After a couple of weeks of thinking this way, I was really blessed by one of my fourth grade groups. They started to show interest in learning and asking questions and being involved in the therapy sessions. One even asked what being a Christian means! What a ministry opportunity! Now I am not sure where I want to work.

What do you guys think? Do you like working for the schools after wanting to have worked in other places? Do you think you'll change after this year?

Did you hear a pig?

For the therapy dimension of my clinical fellowship, I have been helping out with language lab at a preschool four days a week. This is without a doubt the highlight of my day. There is nothing more rewarding than stepping away from the hustle and bustle of the real world and stepping into the life a preschooler. As you well know, you can never predict what will come out of the mouth of a three year old or, in this case, what will come out of the nose. During snack time today, one of the little boys sneezed. With snot hanging from his nose, he looked at me as if to say "What now?" Normally, I would make the boy use his words to request a tissue, but this was a special case so I handed the boy a kleenex and told him to blow his nose. I watch as the boy puts the tissue to his nose, blows, and proceeds to loudly SNORT as he sucks air back into his nose in preparation for his next blow into the tissue. The sound caught everyone off guard. One small girl said it best with a questioning look on her face as she searched the classroom...."pig?" At least we've taught her something!

you can't escape tongue thrust!!!

I thought my extensive experience with tongue thrust was over, but boy was I wrong! I have a student that has been in speech for 3 years for probably every sound that can be produced with a lisp. No one has worked with her on it, or informed her (until me) that she is thrusting! Just when I thought I wouldn't work with tongue thrust in the schools... good thing I kept a copy of the program I used in school!
Miss all you ladies, and who all is going to TSHA?!?

TSHA Convention

If you still live in Texas...Chanan and I are trying to decide which hotel we are going to stay at for TSHA Convention. We are taking a poll...Where are you guys staying?? It would be kind of like old times. Let us know :)