Tidbits of the End of the Year
The end of the year is upon us. Ready or not, the calendar is coming to an end; the number of days of instruction is countable. Should you panic? Should you try and get every piece of work done possible? Should you just give in and just relax?
It’s a combination of all of the above. Reinforce positive behaviors, be clear about expectations, take challenges one at a time, and remember the good times.
Reflecting on Testing
Sometimes its not fun at all watching students take these tests. Especially the student who is able to sit and attend the test but not understand anything being asked to them on the test. But it is a lesson in perseverance. Even when it’s the sixteenth hour of sitting in a testing room with that student on the same test.
About high standards for some students
There is that pocket of student that can act, walk, and speak as if nothing in the world matters. They’re hiding a pretty severe disability. They shove away help in public. And you’re conscious about the interventions you may have to provide, but there’s nothing you can do to break the behavior of refusals, the rudeness, the challenges that academics provide because they are about saving face.
Spend time getting to know this student, especially in classes where they feel successful. Realize that at the end of the year, there are so many events that may cause social anxiety and be upfront with this student about the things that are happening. Be consistent and realize that small in roads are worth the little battles. In the mean time, take each moment with a small breath. It’s not you, they’re trying to protect themselves.
Be ready to say ‘good-bye’
The end of the year is one of those times when many changes happen. Even if you don’t like ‘good-bye’, there are folks who are retiring or leaving for other positions. Celebrate the things they contributed the entire time you worked together.
Speaking of professionals
Remember the professional part of professional. This is a time of year when people tend to be more sensitive. Forgetting ‘please’ , ‘thank you’, or confidentiality of students is all too easy when you think students might be otherwise occupied.
The end of the year is upon us. Whether or not we are ready, it’s going to take all we can do to get there and make sure we do it together and in one piece.
ParaEducate ends on May 25th for the 2017 academic year. Do you have any comments about this week’s blog? Do you have a question for us? Would you like to be a guest blogger? Would you like to have an opportunity to pilot some materials at your campus? Find ParaEducate online here, here, here, here, and on our website. Paraeducate is a company interested in providing materials, information, and strategies for people working in special education inclusion settings for grades K-12. ParaEducate, the blog, is published weekly during the academic school year on Thursdays, unless a holiday. ParaEducate shares their findings at conferences, through their books, and their academic adaptations.
