Sweet Max: I’m so sorry we failed you

Nothing upsets me more than learning about the physical restraint of children with autism in school. Basically, these students are punished for having a disability. The following story is what prompted this post: Restraint Death Prompts School To Close As a  middle school special education teacher, I work with students with emotional and behavioral disorders as well as students with …

Not your grandmother’s snow day

Teacher or student, I’ve always loved me a snow day. (For you English teachers, I realize that is not proper grammar. I’m writing in casual conversation here…) I grew up in southern Kansas. Snow days were rare. My best recollection of a snow day was the winter of 1971 when my dad wrapped Wonder Bread sacks around our shoes and …

As I see it: a view through the special educator’s lens

There are some things that happen in public education that I will never understand. I realize I come from a background very different than most public school teachers. I was fortunate to start my teaching career in small, private schools, where imagination and creativity by the teacher was encouraged. Ironically, I started out teaching in a rigorous program in the …

Meet me in Iowa!

Hi, Friends! Just a wee update to let you know that I’ll be speaking at the Homeschool Iowa Conference next week! Here are the topics I’ll be covering: Technology and Your Homeschool Is technology really all that important? How should you use it in your homeschool? When should you not use it? Learn some creative ways to integrate technology in …