Monday, September 24, 2012

Stream of consciousness(7)


B62:

11:07             Why is it that when tasks rain, they really pour?  ‘Got to be more organized with time.  For instance, tackle easier and quicker items to complete.  Prioritize what could be done in segments!  

                        Hmmmnnn … who will need to be engaged with the psychologist … speech therapist this week?  How many contact hours should be provided for each of the students to achieve greater impact on skill mastery?

1:04               It’s midday, yet I still feel uneasy about stacking up paperwork: parent notifications, screening docs, literacy groupings, skill outlines – per performance task --- you read that right!  There are Rolly, Julie, Trin who have not increased a reading level.  And … what’s up with Alllie today?  Why has she not demonstrated fluency? 

3:28               It is almost the end of work time, but there are two after work meetings:  Which one do I attend?  Which one do I table?  I better go to the academic one where the head honcho strictly said was a ‘must attend’.  I definitely don’t want my head on the plate. 

                        A parent came in to the office today; she had extra hours on hand before her community college classes and wanted to know if I needed assistance on anything.  What great blessing to be asked!  I took that invitation without much thought, and scrambled my outbox for paperwork waiting in line.  Once I found and gave it to her, her hands floated quickly on the keyboard and soon enough, seven pages of typing were done- just like that! 

“Anything else I could do for you or anyone?” she asked. 

“Not at the moment, but let me know when you could come again,” I shared.

“I will come back tomorrow; get me some work, OK?” she reminded before heading out the door.

What can I say?  Sometimes, we do not think we’re favored.  Today, I felt supported, important and truly fortunate to get relief and help from someone! 

4:19               Once in a while, we meet people who generally are good and authentic with their words and actions.  A colleague, Ms. T,  spoke about the progress of one child who has had a history of falling into the cracks- ignored, forgotten, passed over … just because he has challenges in retaining information, and decoding what must be fluently read, so we think!  Ms. T shared how quickly the student worked today on sequences of tasks, offered opinions and began writing his thoughts without prodding.  She had kind words for the child and encouraged him to do some writing, lots of thinking, and illustrating concepts.  It was amazing what the child was able to do just because someone in the building thought that with patience and perseverance – indeed, those two hard to find traits these days would really do wonders.  But especially, belief in the child’s ability to rebound, and actually perform, did the magic!  Way to go, Ms. T!

6:10              Dinner and chores are now done.  Critters have been played with; they appear satisfied (Grilled chicken was just sumptuous!).  Hurdles of the day are almost accomplished.  Planning for the next work day’s tasks, the upcoming trip’s itinerary, and writing notes for what’s to be left behind with folks who’d execute tasks in my absence require prioritizing.  Deciding what’s more important from a plateful of “must do’s” surely can be challenging.  With patience though, yes … patience, and strategizing all can be achieved!

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