I teach students with severe disabilities. But, most of the time, I feel like they are the ones doing the teaching and I am doing all of the learning.
Back in high school, I joined Best Buddies (similar to a peer tutor program), mostly as something to put on my college application. It didn't take long before I fell in love with the students I worked with! They made me feel like the best person in the world. I loved spending time with them, but I never really thought much of it.
I remember getting to BYU and being a little anxious about picking my major. Teaching was never something I thought I would do, until I pulled out one of my Best Buddies shirts while doing laundry. It was right then that I knew I wanted to teach special education.
Meet Sonia and Cerae:
I just finished my fourth year teaching. My first year teaching was my internship and it was probably the best situation an intern could ask for. I worked with Ms. Hall who was a part time teacher. So half of the time, I had her to lean on and learn from. Then the other half of the time was mine to be the teacher. Ms. Hall taught me how to bring a classroom to life, have fun, and still have an academic setting.
I spent the last three years at an elementary school in a city that is pretty much out in the middle of nowhere. I love it. This year I have 9 kids, 6 of which will be moving on to middle school next year. I have a really hard time saying goodbye and I am not looking forward to doing it at the end of May. The kids I work with are hilarious, fun, a little wild, and have won my heart. I also have the three greatest aides a teacher could ask for. We are growing together as a class and my room is one of my favorite places in the world.
During the 2013-2014 school year, I taught in Minnesota. It was quite the change as I taught in a resource setting. It wasn't easy, but I sure learned a lot, including a new respect for resource teachers.
When we moved back to Utah, I began with an accommodated core cluster. These kids were in between. Some of them could be pushed out into resource classes, but they all need more specialized instruction and accommodations to reach the core. I had Rooney in March, finished the school year and decided to take a break from teaching so I could focus on her.
It wasn't long before I was back to work though. In February, I started as a new teacher special education coach for our school district. I get to help with new teacher trainings and serve as a coach for a handful of teachers. It has been wonderful! I love that am able to keep my foot in teaching while not coming home weighed down by paperwork and meetings. I do miss having a class to call my own though.
