Talk had been that my primary charge in 8th grade was going to get into a new program at a different location, a program he should have been in earlier but his parents balked at it. To me, the thought that he could be gone in January was interesting timing, as I had an idea that I had some physical problems that may require I be out of school. I saw that as a problem, as one key thing in special ed is a degree of routine. It was bad enough that I had begun to miss 1-2.5 days a week since Thanksgiving. The student’s moving on might be such that the school could wait to reassign me, if need be.
Well, Lori’s TA suddenly discovered in mid-December that she could have a full-time, full-paying job at Cortland State. The teacher they had hired for their Pre-K program was leaving because her husband was being transferred for his job. INTERESTING, as Heather had not been their first choice BUT now, all of a sudden, she could be at her new job January 5. Before Christmas break, the special ed supervisor came by to tell me that I was going to be re-assigned. She was not yet sure where, but she knew she was going to have an opening in the elementary school. (I had heard speculation that I was going to be in 5th grade most of the time.) She’d get back to me. In that time period, Lori told me there was going to be an opening in her room and that she thought it would be great if we could work together, but she was not sure what I might think about working in 2nd grade, as my experience has been Grades 6-12 (until this year). I said to her that Karen had mentioned an opening in the ES; but I didn’t know then that the opening was in Lori’s room.
At that same time, I filled Karen in a little with what was going on in my life, as by this meeting I knew I had suspicious lumps that had been detected and that I had been referred to a surgeon, who was scheduling me for some biopsies. I thought it right to cue her in on this, as I had been absent more than what is the norm for me, for one thing.
I was unable to go to school last Tuesday, as I had been scheduled for another round of biopsies. I had also figured I would need Wednesday off to re-group. (The first day back after Christmas break was Tuesday, and I was absent!!) Karen sent me an email to say that I was being reassigned to 2nd grade to work with Lori Rice. Karen knew I would be out until Thursday morning, but she would talk to me about this then. Karen had no idea that Lori and I were friends (and all that other stuff I wrote at the start here). Apparently Karen stopped by to let Lori know who was going to replace her TA, and Lori told Karen that we are long-time friends, go to the same church, etc. As I said, I had been absent, but Lori and I touched base by email, sharing that we knew what my new assignment was going to be. I started first thing Thursday.
Today Karen caught up with me to let me know what she had settled on for my schedule because it was going to differ a little from what Lori’s TA had. I would still go to ELA 5 afternoons, rather than help supervise recess. Karen would have someone else do that. I also would still do the bus attendance, since I know the kids.
Karen and I were talking a bit in the hall, and I told her that I was enjoying this class very much. She was glad to hear that, as she knows this is an entirely new area to me. I then told her how I knew Lori – guess it was a lot like what Lori had told her about me. I said to Karen that this seems like such a great place for me to be at this time, with what I have going on. Karen, who knows Lori and I are Christian people, pointed in recognition of God’s plan – not that she is a true believer (went to Catholic school). I verbalized that gesture, saying it was God’s plan for me. COOL!
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