And so the working girl returned to the working world. Although she enjoyed a brief period of rest and days off, how she now basked in having a purpose once again.
Work this week was excellent.
Monday brought me to Westwood Elementary, where I got to work with Nathan in grade 4. Nathan is quite a bright young man, and was keenly interested in the fact that I work at Copps Coliseum. "YOU DO?!?! Ok, now lets make a picture of you working a Copps Coliseum. And we'll make a poster of all the things I want to see at Copps Coliseum!". During our free time in the day we did just this, and created posters for Monster Jam, Disney On Ice, Walking with the Dinosaurs, Concerts, Star Wars in Concert, Hamilton Bulldogs, and ______________. On the back, we wrote a letter to mom: "Hi Mom, it's me, Nathan. Miss P says Monster Trucks is coming to Copps Coliseum in November, and I'd like to go. Can we go? Love Nathan". I'll take things that melt your heart for $1,000! I loved my first day back with Nathan. BUT, what also made Monday great was the fact that there were FOUR kids from camp at Westwood: Russel, Zechariah, Christian, and little Alicia. I just find it to be so awesome to see camp kids in school throughout the year. I like to see the kinds of things they're working on and how far they come. I also like to see that they freak out at school the same way they freak out at camp, thereby indicating that... IT'S NOT US!
Tuesday and Wednesday each brought me to a grade 3 class at Templemead Elementary. The assignment was to work with a boy in this class who was labeled with multiple behaviour disorders, but I ended up working with another young lad with undiagnosed (and UNMEDICATED) ADD/ADHD. Our first day together was great... Brandon cooperated where I requested him to, and we got actual work done (albeit at a reduced amount). He had zero problems transitioning into and out of recess and into and out of gym. On Tuesday, Brandon received all of his 5 stickers on his "Good Behaviour" chart, and thus received a sweet snake tattoo which had is name on it. We high-fived at this and agreed we'd have another fabulous day on Wednesday. Ooooooooonly, Wednesday didn't quite turn out that way. Right from the get go, Brandon was a challenge on Wednesday. "NO" to math (until I thought it might be fun to do our work on the black board with coloured chalk... yeah, that was sweet actually). "NO" to letter writing in literacy. "NO" to eating a single bit of his lunch at first nutrition break. "NOOOOOO" to coming inside from playing basketball at second nutrition break. And here's where the fun part starts. In addition to the attention deficit and hyperactivity, Brandon also struggled with a little OCD. The previous three recesses we shared together over the past two days didn't bring any problems because when I told him "ok, 5 more shots and then we're going in", he would get at least one of those shots in the basket. Shot in basket = cycle complete = perfection = peace of mind = ok, let's move on. Only this recess, not a single basket was going in. To be sure, each shot he took was getting further and further away, and Brandon was growing more and more frustrated and angry. So I called for assistance from another EA who knew Brandon more than myself (it can be really hard as a supply, coming into a set of behaviours which have been established for MUCH longer than I have known the student). The two of us tried, but eventually we called for the assistance of another teacher. We tried everything, after which I was asked if I have my NVCI? "I have expired NVCI, is that helpful?". Luckily, though, the VP was able to coax Brandon inside for a cheese string and yogurt tube. Brandon and I made it back to the portable (p.s. we were in a portable ;), but upon arrival he was very adamant that he was not going inside to do work. So we stayed outside and chatted for a little bit, before he swiftly walked away from me back towards the basketball net (without a ball, I might add). The same 4 ladies who helped me earlier came to my assistance once more, and eventually we had Brandon inside... again... in the Snoozlen room for a cool down. We managed to get through the day, though. Poor guy. He's got some major challenges in life, even aside from the diagnoses and labels. Maybe I'll get to work with Brandon again.
Thursday and Friday. PARKVIEW! HOME SWEET HOME!!! The students were uber pumped to see me back ("MISS! Are you here to work today? YES! I didn't think you were coming back!"). Those students are my favourite students of all the students on earth. Challenged as they may be, in so many ways you cannot even begin to imagine (beyond the academic struggles and into socioemotional ones unphathomable to you and I), they are the BEST. I have so much faith in them, it's crazy. I love them all so much, and to be back there these past two days was simply awesome. Here's to many more throughout the year!
NOTE: If you're reading this (which I doubt, haha) and are able to donate any good condition, "young people's" clothing to the students of this school, that would be beyond awesome. ALSO, the auto teacher is looking for old bikes. If you've outgrown a bike or just have one you don't need or want anymore, PLEASE let me know. Parkview would love to have it <3 .
I had a wicked week of running this week. Just wicked.
Walk a Mile is tomorrow morning.
And I'm pretty sure this is strep throat. SUPER.
I have the best friends.
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