I agree with you Kathy.  If I was a teacher for special needs I would do the same thing.  Parents can do more harm than good.  Even though they might mean well.  It is good to push a kid beyond what they think they can do.  I know I was not suppose to get past the 2nd grade but my Mom kept pushing and than I pushed myself when I got older.  When I graduated I only had a 6th grade 2nd month.  Than I kept reading watching pbs, doing puzzles of all kinds and when I got tested two years later I was at 8th grade.  Now I am 2nd year 4 month college, or better I was last tested 5 years ago.

--
Prayer is the bridge between panic and peace.
Karen Carter '74



-------------- Original message --------------

> Vicki,
> I used to teach in special education for the Mentally impaired. I
> taught children between the ages of 3 to 26. I liked the kids, but the
> paper work was an absolute nightmare. Even sighted people hate it, but
> getting a reader to help you out was just no fun. Also, I got frustrated
> with parents that saw their kids as hopeless situations and gave up pushing
> their children to meet all of the potential that they were capable of. I
> suppose, looking back on it, I was a bit idealistic and, perhaps a bit
> insensitive to what they were going through with a special needs child, but
> I just always saw my students as being able to do so much and watching
> othre peoples' expectations hold them back. I got pretty frustrated.
> I do enjoy writing, but that requires discipline and guts. First
> of all, you have to make yourself sit down to actually organize your
> thoughts, not an easy task when you arent accountable to anybody and family
> needs are right in front of you. Then you have to have the guts to share
> what you have done. I admire Phil for putting it all out there. I'm not
> that brave.
> Kathy
>
> At 06:05 PM 2/12/2005, you wrote:
> >Kathy,
> >
> >If anybody really though about the skills it takes to be a stay-at-home mom,
> >they'd realize the incredible amount of skills they would have at their
> >disposal. I know you said you didn't want to return to teaching, but,
> >curious, what did you teach? I do know you've mentioned your love of
> >writing.
> >
> >Vicki
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Kathy Du Bois"
> >To:
> >Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2005 2:24 PM
> >Subject: Re: [ECHURCH-USA] Encouragement
> >
> >
> > > Marvella,
> > > At least you have the work experience to back you up. That should say
> > > something for commitment and capability. I find myself thinking about
> > > getting back in to the work force as well, but I've been a stay at
> > > home wife and mom for 19 years now and that doesn't count much in the job
> > > market. I also have no clue what I'd be good at. I used to teach, but I
> > > don't want to go back into that field. I bet that you have a lot of
> > > skills on display. You'll be great!
> > > Kathy
> > >
> > >
> > > At 03:43 PM 2/12/2005, you wrote:
> > > >Hey, guys, I need some encouragement from out there. It's about time that
> >I
> > > >start looking for another job and I'm really nervous about getting out of
> >my
> > > >comfort zone. I'm nervous about the whole process from looking to
> > > >interviewing since I haven't had to do this in 29 years. I know that a
> >lot
> > > >has changed and expectations have changed some too. Just wanted to share
> > > >this. Thanks.
> > >