Life Changes

Life Changes

     I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I submitted my application to be a presenter at T.M.E.A. nearly a year ago.  I was not prepared for so many opportunities just from this clinic.  The range of emotions that I have been feeling for over two weeks feels like a roller-coaster.  I was up one minute, down the next, just deciding what I was going to do next with my life.  I have come to the conclusion that my inner voice can't be silenced anymore; therefore I am going to pursue my Master's degree at my alma mater, SMU.  I am excited and quite nervous about this new adventure in my life, but who would I be to silence that voice that has been speaking to me for a year now?  I felt it deep down in my heart to go back to SMU when I took a practice test three weeks ago at Simmons School of Education.  SMU is an unusual school, simply because they are not just a school.  SMU is a higher institution of learning that encourages their students to think big and outside the box.  I would say I received the BEST education at SMU because of the amazing professors.  Two of those professors have become mentors and friends to me!  I can't thank these two professors enough, simply because they have been incredible mentors and role models for me.  I aspire to be what they are to me:  lovers of philosophy, art, and music, who encourage their students in and out of the classroom.  I have a very strong bond with both of these women, simply because they "get" me.  

     I realized last year I needed to go back to school to obtain my Master's in Special Education because of the lack of understanding and knowledge that Cole's principal and Special Education teacher had.  I liked Cole's teacher, but she lacked the understanding and knowledge to actually "get" Cole.  Cole is like me-- he thinks outside of the box and told me the other day Antonio Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" is not Franki Valli and the Four Seasons!  My son is brilliant and can make correlations between music, a genre, and remembers what year a song has been created and released.  I have been volunteering to teach music in Cole's Special Education class since last October and one thing I realized is nearly all of the students in this particular class are obsessed with dates.  The students like to play a game with me, which has become quite funny!  They ask me when was "Blue Moon" first written and sung it first?  They know I love this song, so they always tease me by telling me wrong answer.  You have to be in the class to get this humor, but these kids are incredible.  Cole can tell me on the musical timeline we have created when each song, what year, and what type of music it is (genre).  These kids are extremely bright and intelligent, but they need that extra help when trying to acquire a new math, english, or history concept. 

     I am very excited about returning to the classroom as a student.  I look forward to learning more, expanding my outlook on how special education is taught in the real world, as well as understanding what is expected of me as a special education teacher.  Cole has taught me a lot about life, and I sure hope I can return the favor to those families and students who have an I.E.P. or 504.  IDEA is NOT just an IDEA.  IDEA is a law that protects each student who has a disability.  Stay tuned for my next big announcement!

T.M.E.A. review: Who really reads my blog?

T.M.E.A. Review:  Who Really Reads My Blog?

     It was exactly one week ago that I presented my workshop:  "Using Music Technology with Special Needs Students".  I was extremely nervous, but I had prepared for months for this incredible opportunity!  I was relieved when it was 10:50 a.m. and my session had come to a close.  I had over-prepared, so the question and answer session flew by (10:50 - 11 a.m.).  I did not realize the impact I was going to make in the music community and beyond, but as I am writing this email, I am really behind in responding to emails regarding my workshop!  I have always felt that I was supposed to do something big with my life and make a difference in this world.  I truly believe my workshop opened up the door to limitless possibilities to what I can and will do with my life.  I never knew my role as mom and teacher would be valuable to so many people.  I am forever grateful to my mentors for always instilling in me the desire to search for knowledge, challenge me to always be the best, but most of all, the desire to inspire others.  

     I credit these teachers and administrators for giving me opportunities I could have only dreamed of as an adult:  Mr. Robert Giesler, Buster Cooper (the MOST incredible dance teacher I have ever had), my very first music teacher, Mrs. Cypher, my 4th and 5th grade Math teacher, Lilli Grant, my 2nd grade teacher, Cynthia Bell, my 6th grade teacher, Arnold Young, my coach, 7th grade science teacher and second momma, Armelia King, my 9th grade and 12th grade math teacher, Dr. Jack Mattingly, my private voice teacher, Joan Tallis, and my incredible professors from SMU:  Dr. Gail Hartin, Prof. Barbara Hill-Moore, Dr. Carol Reynolds, Dr. Donna Mayer-Martin, Prof. Constantina Tsoulainou, Dr. James Ode, Dr. Sam Holland, Dr. Jose Bowen, Dr. Alan Wagner, Dr. Andrew Anderson, Prof. Martha Satz, Professor Patti Harington Delaney, and Dr. Stuart Cheney.  These teachers and professors exemplified what I aspired to be:  an inspiration to my students.  They inspired me, challenged me, but most of all, taught me how to think out of the box.  I have never questioned my ability to learn, but these teachers understood that I learned differently.  I applaud these people, simply because they saw my ability.  These teachers, professors, and administrators never judged me and they saw what I was capable of doing with my life.  I did have a few teachers and professors that were very limited thinkers, which did cause me to doubt myself at times.  However, I was so blessed by these specific people in obtaining my degree at SMU (always my biggest accomplishment academically), that I owe them the credit that they rightfully deserve.

     By now, you know my second momma, Armelia King, had the biggest influence on my life (besides Robert Giesler) to become a teacher.  Armelia was a rare breed of a teacher.  She kept me in line, showed me kindness when I really needed it, but most of all, she instilled in me the confidence to face any challenge that arose.  I credit Armelia for giving me my wings to fly, simply because she never took no as an answer.  During those formative middle school years, I believe every student needs one of those teachers like Armelia King.  Coach was my rock when my mom had stage 3 breast cancer, and she inspired me to be the woman I am today:  confident, smart, and forgiving.  I have had great role models in my life (my parents, my maternal grandparents, my husband, my terrific in-laws, and my son), but Armelia King was exactly what I needed at 12 years old.  I could write a book about this amazing woman, simply because I credit Coach for pushing me last year to submit my proposal:  "Using Music Technology with Special Needs Students".  I clearly remember sitting at Coach's bedside at Baylor Hospital and laughing.  Coach didn't say much the last three years, but she could nod her head, say yes and no, and would laugh at the things I would come out with!  I asked her two days after Mother's Day, "Coach, do you think people would benefit from me if I did a workshop about students with special needs?".  She shook her head yes and gave me that look-- Dottie knows that look!  If you knew Coach King, her looks were either 1.  You better shut up and do as I say or I will make you run laps until the cows come home or 2. Did you really just say what I think you said?  Momma gave me look number 2.  I knew I had to do this presentation, even if it wasn't going to be picked because of my second momma, Armelia King.  Coach died August 2014, right after I was able to tell her that my workshop had been picked.

     People like Armelia King and Robert Giesler only come around once in a lifetime.  I have been forever blessed by these two inspiring people, and because of them, I hope I have the same effect on my students.  My son, Cole, and my wonderful husband inspire me every day to do my best.  I love my life, but most of all, I love it simply because I have been given so many incredible opportunities, personally and professionally.  Don't give up in life, simply because you never know who you are going to inspire.  Live your life to the fullest, give back, and love unconditionally.  

Too Much Change: Vaccines Do NOT Cause Autism

Too Much Change

     I really thought we were going to have a great school year, simply because we knew what to expect at Cole's middle school.  We had a great special education teacher, but she abruptly resigned 13 days ago.  She was one of those rare teachers that taught outside the box and challenged Cole on a daily basis.  She was an incredible teacher and pushed him to always do his best in class and in the community.  I can only wonder why she left-- an unexpected visit from administration that told her she wasn't following the student's I.E.P.s, no support from staff to relieve her for a break every day, or maybe it was a personal decision to leave.  I really think it was a combination of things, but she loved her students.  You can't fake unconditional love.  We have gone through many emotions these past 13 days, and I don't blame Cole's teacher for leaving.  I left mid-semester my teaching job, because I feared for my safety.  There are many reasons teachers leave their job, simply because teaching is the hardest job in the world.  However, we lost a great teacher and it has affected Cole in ways I can't put into writing.

     Fast forward thirteen days and my life has been a roller coaster without a stop button!  I have been studying for the TExES test to become a highly qualified special education teacher in the state of Texas.  I took a practice test yesterday at SMU (Simmons School of Education) and I passed it with flying colors!  I was shocked over what I actually knew, but I think what surprised me the most is that I didn't over-think the questions.  I am a perfectionist, so once I realized I only have to make an 80 on this test, I started studying last Thursday.  I am very familiar with Special Education law, but one thing I realized is that I am not very familiar with certain terms.  What is dygraphia?  I had no idea what this was until last night.  Domain III, Competency 008, was the only area that I missed.  I am not a Math, English or Language Arts teacher, but in order to pass this test, I am slowly becoming an expert in these fields.  I wish Common Core did not exist, simply because it doesn't establish a foundation for our children.  How is a student going to accomplish AP Statistics in college, when they are not given the tools to do long division?  I am one of "those" parents that disagrees with STAAR testing (along with a lot of my friends) and feel it should be thrown out.

     Enough about this subject, simply because I was writing today to get rid of the false myth "vaccines cause autism".  Vaccines do NOT cause autism.  I have lost friends over this issue, simply because they truly believe this crap.  The doctor who said vaccines cause autism had his license stripped because it was and is a lie.  We now are seeing an outbreak in Mumps and Measles, simply because there are parents that believe vaccines cause autism.  Yes, there may be a very small percentage of parents that have cause to say this, but it is because their child has an underlying health issue that they may not be aware of.  I blame the media for the hype that says "vaccines cause autism".  Just this morning as I was getting ready, Matt Lauer had a taped recording of a mom who said vaccines caused her daughter's autism.  What they failed to mention is that her daughter had underlying health issues.  I am not questioning the mom about her daughter's health issues, but I know if my child had the option of getting Mumps and Measles vs. Autism, I would take Autism any day.  We have had our ups and downs, but autism is not something that is "catchable".  I interpret autism as a brain fart.  Sometimes autism is funny, like a fart!  Sometimes autism stinks-- just like a fart.  However, I would rather my son have autism than stand over his death bed and ask "why did I listen to the media?  Why is he dying from the Measles?".  Don't believe the hype about this myth.  Don't let autism scare you.  

     I hope this blog post helps expel the myth about vaccines causing autism.  I know one thing is for sure:  if you don't vaccinate your child, your child may be a statistic.  That statistic would read:  Parents didn't vaccinate their child, so their child died from a disease that was preventable.  America, WAKE UP.  Vaccines DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM.