Reflections

This week was tougher than usual. I try to remind myself that weeks like this past week or other difficult events arrive as pulse checks. They are sent our way to remind us what a rough week feels like which only makes us appreciate the less rough weeks and positive events more. So many struggles on so many levels but it occurs to me in the quiet of this Sunday morning that this is the work. The work won't always easily come to us. Sometimes, we have to persevere for the resolution. It's a test to see what we're made of. Maybe as a leader, an educator, an ally, a daughter and a mother.   During these times, we are often misunderstood. Those that say things about our situations to others, but not directly to us, do so to get us off track. Others want to argue efforts or suggest ulterior motives.  Earlier this year, I was advised that I was the fifth or sixth (can't remember exact number used) Assistant Superintendent in a district in the last five years. He went on to ...

Guest Post by Erin McMahon, M.S.,  Board Certified Behavior Analyst, NYS Licensed Behavior Analyst I recently walked into a classroom and immediately dodged a series of flying wooden blocks. The student throwing them was too young to yet write their whole name, still sporting Velcro sneakers. I followed the student when they opened the door and fled the classroom and went into another room. “Hey (name withheld for privacy), what’s going on today?” I asked, kneeling on the floor near the student. “I’m not going back. My class is f---ing boring,” was the reply. A plan was made with the unwavering support of the classroom teacher, administrators, and school mental health professional. We contacted home and outside service providers. The next day was better. Each day since then has given everyone hope. There will be setbacks, but connections have been made. The plan didn’t happen overnight but the entire team invested in the student. Fast forward to students whom a...