Wondering what to do

[civilwarbuff]

100% agreed. No argument possible.
BUT, is a degree ALL that is necessary to get a good job?
NO. That's all I'll say here. Other qualities are necessary...
Some people are very intelligent and know how to take tests well,
but don't have other things going for them.

Agreed, I have met many very smart people who could never quite get what they knew transferred to their hands.
However, there are many jobs that do REQUIRE a degree as determined by an employer or a professional society that governs licensing of professionals.

 

[GodsGrace]

Agreed, I have met many very smart people who could never quite get what they knew transferred to their hands.
However, there are many jobs that do REQUIRE a degree as determined by an employer or a professional society that governs licensing of professionals.

Require?
I think we're so off topic that I've forgotten what this thread is about!

However, not only is what you say REQUIRED for some, as you stated above...

Remember when we used to say that the new High School Diploma is now a College Diploma?
Can we now say that the new College Diploma is now a Master's degree?

And even with that, you still need communication skills, appearance, general knowledge, writing skills (yeah, not all university kids know how to write English correctly) and other qualities I can't think of right now because it's 1:23 a.m. !!

Bon Nuit.

 

[civilwarbuff]

Well, I asked the OP what she had a masters in but its seems she has abandoned her thread; if she does not care about it I guess there is no reason for us to care either.....good night to you also....

I think we're so off topic that I've forgotten what this thread is about!

 

[dirtfarmer]

I have to agree with Dirtfarmer PRECISELY because of your post above.

It takes a lot of training to become a special ed teacher. You can't find out at the END of this process that you won't like it. The calling should come BEFORE the process.

Of course, life being what it is, one who had the calling could end up hating it and one who didn't could end up liking it; however, these are not the normal circumstances.

I'd say that your post says it all. Many do this as a job and it's the child who ends up paying for the person who does not do their work as a mission but as a job. This is NOT a normal job.

As to crying without a reason. Yes. Sometimes they cry without a reason, in the sense that WE CANNOT KNOW IT. Sometimes you can know what the trigger is and sometimes you can't and sometimes the trigger was not present and they cry anyway. This could make parents and relatives who love the child a little crazy, imagine what it could do to someone who is doing this as a "job"...

hello wondering, dirtfarmer here

I based my answer on personal experience. I had a son born severely handicapped. He lived 12 years 8 months and 3 days. He never spoke a word. My wife and I had to do every thing from feeding to changing his diapers. The one thing that I do know is that God had a purpose for him and I believed that he fulfilled it. The reason that I say this is because at his funeral there was about 700 to 800 people at his funeral, there was standing room only. My wife and I only knew about half of them. We found out after his service, there was a school bud driver that lost her job because she can to his service.

As I stated earlier he was 12 years 8 mo and 3 days old. 12 is the number for divine completion. I believe that he completed the purpose that God had for him. 8 is the number for new beginnings. I believe that he has a new beginning since he has passed away. 3 is the number for the divine completeness, I believe that he is resting with Jesus now.

My pastor and I conducted the service and one thing that my pastor said we had put on his grave stone: "This is not goodbye, but see you later."

We, my wife and I had sorrow because of his death, but we had joy in our hearts because we believed he fulfilled the purpose that had for him, and he allowed us to share in that purpose as his parents.

 

[GodsGrace]

hello wondering, dirtfarmer here

I based my answer on personal experience. I had a son born severely handicapped. He lived 12 years 8 months and 3 days. He never spoke a word. My wife and I had to do every thing from feeding to changing his diapers. The one thing that I do know is that God had a purpose for him and I believed that he fulfilled it. The reason that I say this is because at his funeral there was about 700 to 800 people at his funeral, there was standing room only. My wife and I only knew about half of them. We found out after his service, there was a school bud driver that lost her job because she can to his service.

As I stated earlier he was 12 years 8 mo and 3 days old. 12 is the number for divine completion. I believe that he completed the purpose that God had for him. 8 is the number for new beginnings. I believe that he has a new beginning since he has passed away. 3 is the number for the divine completeness, I believe that he is resting with Jesus now.

My pastor and I conducted the service and one thing that my pastor said we had put on his grave stone: "This is not goodbye, but see you later."

We, my wife and I had sorrow because of his death, but we had joy in our hearts because we believed he fulfilled the purpose that had for him, and he allowed us to share in that purpose as his parents.

Hi Dirtfarmer,
I kind of figured out you spoke from personal experience. Who else could really understand?
I also speak from personal experience. I have a granddaughter that has autism. It's low on the scale so it's not so bad. But nothing is normal in my daughter's family or for my husband and myself.

Everything is difficult or a challenge. I won't go into detail, I'm sure you could imagine having gone through much worse. She's 16 now and much better. Medication helps which is why I beg depressed people to go to a psychiatrist for help.

I also believe with you that your son had a purpose and that the purpose was fulfilled. The numbers, as you explained them, was very beautiful and brought tears to my eyes.

In our humanity we cry and miss those who leave, especially our children who are supposed to die after we do. But we feel the joy knowing that their suffering is over, the earthly life that was wanting has ended and the new joyful life in the presence of our Lord has begun!

He waits for you.
God bless you and your family.

 

[dirtfarmer]

Hi Dirtfarmer,
I kind of figured out you spoke from personal experience. Who else could really understand?
I also speak from personal experience. I have a granddaughter that has autism. It's low on the scale so it's not so bad. But nothing is normal in my daughter's family or for my husband and myself.

Everything is difficult or a challenge. I won't go into detail, I'm sure you could imagine having gone through much worse. She's 16 now and much better. Medication helps which is why I beg depressed people to go to a psychiatrist for help.

I also believe with you that your son had a purpose and that the purpose was fulfilled. The numbers, as you explained them, was very beautiful and brought tears to my eyes.

In our humanity we cry and miss those who leave, especially our children who are supposed to die after we do. But we feel the joy knowing that their suffering is over, the earthly life that was wanting has ended and the new joyful life in the presence of our Lord has begun!

He waits for you.
God bless you and your family.

hello wondering, dirtfarmer here

Will keep your family in our prayers, for godly strength, understanding, and patience.

 

[GodsGrace]

hello wondering, dirtfarmer here

Will keep your family in our prayers, for godly strength, understanding, and patience.

Thanks Dirtfarmer.
As you know, that's exactly what we need.

 

[dirtfarmer]

Thanks Dirtfarmer.
As you know, that's exactly what we need.

hello wondering, dirtfarmer here

The thing that lets me know that some people don't understand someone that is different is that they call them "kid with special needs". What I would them is that their needs are the same as ours. They need loving and caring parents, which is the same as other kids. I would tell them "They are special kids with needs, just as any other kid, their needs are no different". It does take a little more patience and understanding, but they need love and nurturing just the same as others. The thing that really set me off was when some one would say:" O you poor thing, it must be a struggle". If you love some one it is always a struggle, even if they are not special.

This is getting "off subject" so I will end with this post and try to return to the proper subject.

 

[gustokitty]

It takes a lot of training to become a special ed teacher. You can't find out at the END of this process that you won't like it. The calling should come BEFORE the process.

I was not suggesting the person train become a special ed teacher, I was suggesting the person try being an Instructional Assistant in a Special Needs classroom. Then decide or take a step sideways, up, whatever. Depending if they found they liked it, then they could grow in the classroom and go back for more training. As opposed to going in as a janitor and foolishly believing they would be taken serious in any other capacity. It's up to that person to decide, not have someone else discourage or try to make that determination for them.

 

[gustokitty]

The thing that lets me know that some people don't understand someone that is different is that they call them "kid with special needs".

Sorry, but that is an odd way to judge if someone would be compassionate, sensitive and good for the job. I thought you were going to use offensive language when I began reading your reply. You are breaking into symantics whether a person says kids with special needs, or special kids with needs. lol Even the class's are called "Special Needs". lol

 

[dirtfarmer]

Sorry, but that is an odd way to judge if someone would be compassionate, sensitive and good for the job. I thought you were going to use offensive language when I began reading your reply. You are breaking into symantics whether a person says kids with special needs, or special kids with needs. lol Even the class's are called "Special Needs". lol

hello gustokitty, dirtfarmer here

I know that the classrooms for those with learning disabilities and the severely physically handicapped are called "Special Needs". The mobility of those that are in "special needs" is different than regular students, but if that was their only handicap they could attend regular classes. If you ever work with the "special needs" kids you will come to understand that their needs are the same as anyone else, you just have to approach them a little different or maybe in an unorthodox method.

What are the "special needs" of the handicapped? Do they not need nurturing and love as do "regular" kids? They need to feel loved just as anyone does. My son that could tell the difference when some one was nervous around him. When we fed him he could tell if there was corn kernels in his food and some how separate them from the rest of his food and not eat them.

Their needs are not different from anyone else, but the way you approach and handle them is different.

 

[dirtfarmer]

I was not suggesting the person train become a special ed teacher, I was suggesting the person try being an Instructional Assistant in a Special Needs classroom. Then decide or take a step sideways, up, whatever. Depending if they found they liked it, then they could grow in the classroom and go back for more training. As opposed to going in as a janitor and foolishly believing they would be taken serious in any other capacity. It's up to that person to decide, not have someone else discourage or try to make that determination for them.

hello gustokitty, dirtfarmer here

I agree that it is an individual's choice to determine if they have what it takes to be a "special ed" teacher. I think that it take more than "a like" to be in special ed. In my opinion, it is a calling. Most of the classes only have 7-9 students and at times you feel like "running and screaming" because your student had a bad night and is carrying over into the day.

I don't think that I could handle being a teacher, much less, a special ed teacher.

 

[gustokitty]

I know that the classrooms for those with learning disabilities and the severely physically handicapped are called "Special Needs". The mobility of those that are in "special needs" is different than regular students, but if that was their only handicap they could attend regular classes. If you ever work with the "special needs" kids you will come to understand that their needs are the same as anyone else, you just have to approach them a little different or maybe in an unorthodox method.

What are the "special needs" of the handicapped? Do they not need nurturing and love as do "regular" kids? They need to feel loved just as anyone does. My son that could tell the difference when some one was nervous around him. When we fed him he could tell if there was corn kernels in his food and some how separate them from the rest of his food and not eat them.

Their needs are not different from anyone else, but the way you approach and handle them is different.

Sweetie, I have worked with Special Needs kids. Again, I highlight sensitivity and compassion, as two critical traits to actually be good working with those children. I'm not really sure where this discussion is going. It started with someone discouraging someone else about that they did not know, from considering Special Needs Instructional Assistant. I was also including Autism class in my mind when making the suggestion. Whoever asked the person what their degree was in, asked a very good question. I notice our discussion has been going on and on, yet the original poster seems not to have returned. So hopefully she found work.

 

[gustokitty]

hello gustokitty, dirtfarmer here

I agree that it is an individual's choice to determine if they have what it takes to be a "special ed" teacher. I think that it take more than "a like" to be in special ed. In my opinion, it is a calling. Most of the classes only have 7-9 students and at times you feel like "running and screaming" because your student had a bad night and is carrying over into the day.

I don't think that I could handle being a teacher, much less, a special ed teacher.

I never felt like running and screaming, but many of my co-workers and teachers demonstrated those feelings of frustration. Honestly, when those teachers were NOT in the classroom, I ran a room with calm and happy children. Like you or someone said, they can feel the energy in the room and it effects them. One thing that bothered me was the lack of patience of many of the teachers/assistants, and the lack of focus on developing the child from where they were. For example, rushing through the crafts projects doing most the work themselves so a finished product would wind up on parents fridge, as opposed to taking the child's hand whether they could move it or not, and working through the project for their benefit. I also found that issue with teaching life skills(for the ones capable). I found this type behavior by teachers/assistants rampant in Severely handicapped classes. Better teachers were available in the Autism classes. They required relevant education for autism classes but not for severely handicapped classes. It was eye opening and disappointing.

 

[gustokitty]

hello gustokitty, dirtfarmer here

I know that the classrooms for those with learning disabilities and the severely physically handicapped are called "Special Needs". The mobility of those that are in "special needs" is different than regular students, but if that was their only handicap they could attend regular classes. If you ever work with the "special needs" kids you will come to understand that their needs are the same as anyone else, you just have to approach them a little different or maybe in an unorthodox method.

What are the "special needs" of the handicapped? Do they not need nurturing and love as do "regular" kids? They need to feel loved just as anyone does. My son that could tell the difference when some one was nervous around him. When we fed him he could tell if there was corn kernels in his food and some how separate them from the rest of his food and not eat them.

Their needs are not different from anyone else, but the way you approach and handle them is different.

Hi dirtfarmer, here's a ps.
I do agree, of course, they need nurturing and love like any child. They actually need more, hence their needs are greater, you say so yourself, otherwise they would simply be in a regular classroom. But, they have "special needs". This requires "special people" to work not just effectively, in the "let's push em through and send them home alive" mentality, but people willing to really help them thrive to the best of their ability. That is the need of any child, again, I agree, but apparently that kind of patience, drive, understanding and compassion is not as common in people as I once thought. They just don't have it in them. I even worked with mothers of "severely handicapped" children who were better than the other assistants, but still not up to par for my expectations. I would have gone back to school and made this my 2nd career had I not had my own "handicap" to contend with and unable to work at that capacity. I think the teacher in the classroom sets the tone, and if he/she is off balance, then the whole classroom will be off balance. It doesn't need to be a room full of crying, unhappy kids!

 

[dirtfarmer]

I never felt like running and screaming, but many of my co-workers and teachers demonstrated those feelings of frustration. Honestly, when those teachers were NOT in the classroom, I ran a room with calm and happy children. Like you or someone said, they can feel the energy in the room and it effects them. One thing that bothered me was the lack of patience of many of the teachers/assistants, and the lack of focus on developing the child from where they were. For example, rushing through the crafts projects doing most the work themselves so a finished product would wind up on parents fridge, as opposed to taking the child's hand whether they could move it or not, and working through the project for their benefit. I also found that issue with teaching life skills(for the ones capable). I found this type behavior by teachers/assistants rampant in Severely handicapped classes. Better teachers were available in the Autism classes. They required relevant education for autism classes but not for severely handicapped classes. It was eye opening and disappointing.

hello gustokitty, dirtfarmer here

From your testimony you seem to have "the calling", whether you agree or not. I don't know much about autism. From what little I have seen and heard Autism is different. If I understand correctly, most of them have the ability to do the functions necessary to sustain them; like feed themselves, use the bathroom, are mobile and are capable of learning and conversing if they want to.

You have spoken the truth that many do the crafts and add the child's name, just to get "at a boy points". While I also believe that some parents use "special ed" as a baby sitting service. They never attend any of the functions that the schools have for their kids, it seems as if they are ashamed of them. Then there are those that want the world to know and see what great parents they are by the way they hover over their child as if they are in great distress, as if no one else has been where they are. Their life is so limited because of their "handicapped" child.

We never let our son's condition hinder us from doing thing and going places. We went out to eat, would go on vacations, we even went out west; and we never went any where without him. We had an agreement, if he wasn't welcome, then we were not welcome. Because of some of the vests and leg braces that he wore, we had to be cognizant of heat and keep him cool. There was some places that we could take him because of the heat, so we just didn't go either.

Enough about me and my family. I don't want to say " look how great we were, we were just ordinary parents with a child that God allowed us the joy of having in our life for a while.