One Blessed Summer

I have had an amazing summer! It was filled with surprises and much laughter.  I was truly blessed this summer. 

1.    Teaching – I have my first teaching job!  I will be at the same school I student taught at and I could not be more excited!

2.    Grandma – My grandma suffered a heart attack the weekend of the 4^th July.  That was probably the worst weekend of my adult life.  She is currently in the hospital.  She has had one surgery and is waiting on one more.  This weekend reminded me how precious family is.  

3.    An unexpected friend – I had a co-worker this summer who had my same sense of humor.  She is a wonderful friend to me and I’m so glad she came into my life this summer.

4.    A closer bond – I have a friend who I have been friends with since I was a freshman in college and this summer we got even closer.  She always has my back.  She celebrates my victories and cries with me during sad times.  She brings a sparkle to the world. 

5.    Driving – This summer I drove an hour each way to my job.  I listened to a lot of audio books! 

6.    Camp – This was my first summer working at a camp.  I really enjoyed working with these kids.  We were outside every day and we swam several times a week.  

Non-Verbal Students

            These students amaze me every day!   They live in a world driven by communication and have to figure out how to convey their wants and needs without using traditional methods.  When these students are given the tools to help them communicate they often run with it. 

            People who work with students with these needs learn to read them very carefully.  Certain movements may indicate that the child is distressed or needs something.  Each non-verbal child I have worked with has taught me something new.  Just because they don’t have words to express what they are thinking does not mean that they are not thinking.  These children are so bright!