Kaylie: An Attitude of Gratitude, It’s All in Your Perspective

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, hands down. Spending time with families and friends. Eating entirely too much food. Most importantly, stopping to think about the things in life we’re most grateful for.

This past Sunday, my pastor began his sermon by explaining that he was very aware Thanksgiving had already come and gone, but he’d never had the opportunity to preach a Thanksgiving message and was not going to miss the chance, even if it did come a few days late. Toward the end of the sermon, he read a list of things that he was thankful for: the early morning sound of the alarm clock, sore muscles at night, mortgage payments and income taxes. Obviously, this is a pretty strange list, but he went on to give reasons why he was thankful for these things. The early morning sound of the alarm clock is a reminder that he has life another day. Sore muscles at night mean he was able to be productive. The mortgage payment is a reminder that he’s blessed with a warm home. Income taxes are paid because he has a job and the ability to work.

This illustration immediately reminded me of the little parts of being a special educator that I complain about (mostly to myself). Those things that, at times, I feel certain will drive me crazy and, to be frank, just get on my nerves. So, I decided to think about these things from a new perspective and developed a list of the top five things I’m thankful for as a special educator.

1. IEPs
I’m thankful for the process of finagling everyone’s schedule to set up a meeting, filling in new assessments, writing new goals and objectives, making sure everyone signs on the right line and filing the stack of papers associated with the document away in my students’ folders in the correct spots. I’m thankful for this process because it reminds me that someone cared enough about my students and other students with disabilities that they made sure they were receiving a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) and put accountability measures, such as the IEP, in place to ensure it happened. I’m thankful for re-assessing and writing new goals because it means we’ve made progress, and past goals have been met.

2. Portfolio assessments
I’m thankful for the nearly 50 page document I have to compile for each of my 14 students (either be typed or written in blue ink), which includes writing example activities, recording data, collecting signatures and demonstrating that students were instructed in various environments and with ample opportunities to make choices. I’m thankful for the tedious process of alternate assessment because it means students with severe disabilities are now being educated with the peers they were so long kept separate from. They remind me that high expectations have been set for my students, too, no matter their disabilities. I’m grateful for the many words that will be typed or written in blue ink on the portfolio documents, because I know someone will take the time to read each word and see the progress each student has made in a year’s time.

3. A noisy “free choice” area
I’m thankful for the loud clamor of voices and materials that comes from the “free choice” area of my classroom twice each day. I’m thankful for the “quiet downs” and “it’s too louds” that are spoken by myself and my assistants during “free choice” times. These sounds mean my students have followed the class expectations, made responsible choices and are now enjoying a few precious moments of structured leisure activities and valuable social skills practice.

4. An empty paper pile
I’m thankful for constantly having to round up more paper to add to the paper pile my students use to do morning work, class work, draw or write on. I’m thankful that they sometimes grab worksheets I’ve freshly copied for lessons later in the day and use the backs of them to do their morning work or to figure out a math problem. These missing papers remind me that my students are being responsible and completing their work, demonstrating more writing skills and using classroom resources independently to figure out problems.

5. Hearing “Miss Kaylie” approximately 100 times every day
I’m thankful for the constant ringing of my name in the classroom. I’m thankful for hands that shoot up as soon as I begin speaking to the class about a lesson or an assignment. I’m thankful for the many “I need help!” or “I can’t do this!” or “This is too hard!” utterances. The frequent calling of my name, hand raises and pleas for help remind me that my students are present. They are in an environment where they can learn and grow, and I’m privileged to be part of that. The repeated requests for help are evidence my students are being challenged and that learning and growth is taking place.

It’s amazing how looking at things I would probably have put on a top five most annoying parts of my job list begin to look much different when viewed from a different perspective, from an attitude of gratitude. Even though Thanksgiving has come and gone, I challenge you to think about those things in your classroom that you definitely wouldn’t describe yourself as thankful for, and look at them in a new light. Make your own top five lists. I’d love to hear what you’re most thankful for in your classrooms!

Comments

[Kaylie]

Thank you all for your kind posts! I'm glad you took time to think about what you're most thankful for in your work. It definitely helps me to have a much better outlook and attitude. We do have the best job ever, after all!

[Kim]

Kaylie, This was a wonderful perspective to our very challenging job. Often, as special educators, we are pulled in many different directions during the course of the day and this post reminds myself that each of those "tugs" has a purpose. It reminds me to stop for a moment and look at the flip side to some of the issues we face and look to see the positive. Thanks. Kim

[Hailey K]

Kaylie- like everyone else has said your perspective is so positive and inspiring! We all can strive to have that kind of perspective on situations that don't always seem to be as positive as we would hope. I have two students right now that constantly say, "ms.k ms.k ms.k" all day long and now that my time at my placement is ending I am sadden by not hearing this everyday... but I know there will always be kids to repeat my name! Thank you for making us all realize the little things that might not seem positive can be the light of our days! :)

[Jerry]

Kaylie,

It's amazing how your list parallels my own. We do this because we love those things that (some) others may find annoying and bothersome. I love hearing my students say my name. I love when they make a huge mess during science or math. And I am with you on IEPs. I love writing IEPs because it is there I really get to know my kids.

This is easily the best post I have seen on here since we started writing. I don't say that to disparage anyone elses writing, just to point out that being thankful is something we all need to remember to do--often.

Thanks for writing.
jerry

PS--the thing I am most thankful for is when I hear one of my students struggle through a particularly difficult word, sound out every letter, breathe every sound, piece it together, and finally get it. I cheer with them when they say, "I did it!" as the light comes on and they fully realize what the word is and what they just accomplished. :-) I love that.

[Nick]

Kaylie- It was really nice to see these aspects of a Special Educator's duties in such a positive light. As I'm approaching my student teaching experience, IEP's are something I am a little nervous about. being able to view them as such a positive thing, will help me stay more calm and positive about them. Thanks for sharing!

[Kelsey]

I loved your perspective on the things that we can often find to be a pain during the day. when things get difficult I try and remind myself that it is a privilege to teach and to work with the students that I do. It is important to sit back and be grateful for the things that may be difficult but help our students succeed and have a better future!

[Jo]

Kaylie ~ I love your different perspective on what to be thankful for. I know as I begin student teaching next semester & then onto a hired position in a school, I will no doubt experience my fair share of things that I will complain about, but in fact, should be thankful for. It's really all these reasons and the students that we are doing what we love!