Kathy,

I know there is a lot of burn out in special ed.  I can sure understand why.
Sometimes it might be that the parents need more education than those kidos.
It's the teachers that believe in kids who really go a long way in helping
them realize their potential.  When you hear stories of favorite teachers
from adults, that's pretty evident.  A teacher's aid, just this week, said
to me this week the deal about not wanting all the paper work of a teacher,
and that's why she wasn't going to pursue licensure.  Doing that with a
reader wouldn't be any picnic either.

Writing does take discipline and boldness if you share it, I agree.  But who
knows, Kathy, maybe when you are in a different place, you will pursue it.
Smile.

Vicki

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kathy Du Bois" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 1:03 PM
Subject: Re: [ECHURCH-USA] Encouragement


> 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" <[log in to unmask]>
> >To: <[log in to unmask]>
> >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.
> > >
>