workworkwork.
So I started my 3rd job at Learn Tuesday and my first actual day in the classroom as a teacher's aide was yesterday.
It was different than I'd expected, but then again the other aides are all from last year's summer school and I'm the only really new one. So all of the 6 students are "special needs" which means most are in a wheel chair, and they are all autistic.
Yesterday was tough because I had no idea how to talk to them, how to do tasks like get them out of their wheelchairs and stand them up and feed them and work with them, and one girl knows sign language and also uses a computer thing to type her responses so I understand them.. but today was much, MUCH better.
Those kids.. [well actually they are all adults now but I still call them kids] are sooo cute and funny and fun. Granted I have yet to witness an "incident" where they get upset but so far it's been great. I worked with one girl Kelsey and she is so smart, I couldn't believe it at first. She is the one who knows sign language. I'm already picking up some of that as well. We worked on a report together of what she did over vacation and she gets so excited over the smallest things, it's really the cutest thing ever and makes me smile all the time. And she gives a lot of high fives too and has this high-pitched squeal when she's happy. She loves Lindsay Lohan movies and is happy about everything, literally.
I also worked with one girl Lindsay who can't talk either but she also can't communicate, and she can't get out of her wheel chair. She's fed with a feeding tube. I feel so bad for her, she has horrible allergies year round and we constantly have to wipe her nose, and she has trouble breathing due to phlem in her chest. She's cute too though, she loves going for walks outside in her chair.
I've learned so much in the past 2 days and I'm excited to work the rest of the summer with these kids. They may be handicapped but now I see all handicapped people in a new way. They are so much smarter than I had ever known and they are so happy and don't let their disabilities keep them from doing what they please. They are special and adorable and I am so glad I got this job. It also leaves me feeling fulfilled at the end of each day knowing I'm helping out those who can't always help themselves.
If it continues to go well I am going to try to get a position as an aide in the same classroom with the same students for next school year. LEARN is flexible I guess with hours so maybe they'll let me work every day I don't have classes. It's really good pay, too, and is only 15 minutes from my house.
Besides the fact that I now have 3 jobs, the summer has been going very well.
My moods have stabalized.
My relationships with everyone have greatly improved.
Matt and I are better than ever.
I'm still broke but I'll be getting big paychecks soon.
BUT I still have yet to go to the beach so.. Sunday will be my beach day!!
AND NEXT WEDNESDAY IS CIRCA SURVIVE. I can not wait.
Okay well, see you all around.. whenever I'm NOT working.. August will probably be the only time I'll be able to hang out with people because that's when LEARN ends and I go back to 2 jobs lmao. Busy, busy.
It was different than I'd expected, but then again the other aides are all from last year's summer school and I'm the only really new one. So all of the 6 students are "special needs" which means most are in a wheel chair, and they are all autistic.
Yesterday was tough because I had no idea how to talk to them, how to do tasks like get them out of their wheelchairs and stand them up and feed them and work with them, and one girl knows sign language and also uses a computer thing to type her responses so I understand them.. but today was much, MUCH better.
Those kids.. [well actually they are all adults now but I still call them kids] are sooo cute and funny and fun. Granted I have yet to witness an "incident" where they get upset but so far it's been great. I worked with one girl Kelsey and she is so smart, I couldn't believe it at first. She is the one who knows sign language. I'm already picking up some of that as well. We worked on a report together of what she did over vacation and she gets so excited over the smallest things, it's really the cutest thing ever and makes me smile all the time. And she gives a lot of high fives too and has this high-pitched squeal when she's happy. She loves Lindsay Lohan movies and is happy about everything, literally.
I also worked with one girl Lindsay who can't talk either but she also can't communicate, and she can't get out of her wheel chair. She's fed with a feeding tube. I feel so bad for her, she has horrible allergies year round and we constantly have to wipe her nose, and she has trouble breathing due to phlem in her chest. She's cute too though, she loves going for walks outside in her chair.
I've learned so much in the past 2 days and I'm excited to work the rest of the summer with these kids. They may be handicapped but now I see all handicapped people in a new way. They are so much smarter than I had ever known and they are so happy and don't let their disabilities keep them from doing what they please. They are special and adorable and I am so glad I got this job. It also leaves me feeling fulfilled at the end of each day knowing I'm helping out those who can't always help themselves.
If it continues to go well I am going to try to get a position as an aide in the same classroom with the same students for next school year. LEARN is flexible I guess with hours so maybe they'll let me work every day I don't have classes. It's really good pay, too, and is only 15 minutes from my house.
Besides the fact that I now have 3 jobs, the summer has been going very well.
My moods have stabalized.
My relationships with everyone have greatly improved.
Matt and I are better than ever.
I'm still broke but I'll be getting big paychecks soon.
BUT I still have yet to go to the beach so.. Sunday will be my beach day!!
AND NEXT WEDNESDAY IS CIRCA SURVIVE. I can not wait.
Okay well, see you all around.. whenever I'm NOT working.. August will probably be the only time I'll be able to hang out with people because that's when LEARN ends and I go back to 2 jobs lmao. Busy, busy.