Guys! EVERYONE keeps asking me how I do what I do! "How do you know everyone at your school?", "How do you get such amazing opportunities for your students?", "How do build such meaningful relationships?", "Why do you get all of the special treatment?" Well...you asked for it, so I'm bringing it. In fact, it's already been broughten! I'm posting a PDF version of my top-ten list for anyone who'd like to print and/or share, but I'm also going to type in the tips below as I know that mobile users aren't always able to access the documents through the website. Guys!
EVERYONE keeps asking me how I do what I do! "How do you know everyone at your school?", "How do you get such amazing opportunities for your students?", "How do build such meaningful relationships?", "Why do you get all of the special treatment?" Well...you asked for it, so I'm bringing it. In fact, it's already been broughten! I'm posting a fun PDF version of my top-ten list for anyone who'd like to print and/or share, but I'm also going to type in the tips here as I know that mobile users aren't able to access the documents through the website. HERE THEY ARE: Drop the acronyms, unless they are fun (i.e. THOT, LMAO, AF, etc.)! Honestly, your “academic” language will get you nowhere with school staff! You’ll just seem suuuuper annoying! Like, ew! Your likeability, on the other hand, will get you EVERYWHERE! Connect Regularly, It’s as simple as a “Good Morning” when you walk in! I learned this from my grandma (who was even more perfect than I am)! Say hi to EVERY. SINGLE. FREAKING. PERSON! Even the ones who ignore you at first will eventually give in and at least crack a half-smile when you walk by! DO NOT DISCRIMINATE, no person is more “IMPORTANT” than the next! You have no idea how many miracles I’ve made happen JUST by being homies with custodians, guards, secretaries, attendance staff, etc. If you can’t get off of your teacher throne that’s made of aluminum foil because we all know you ain’t rich, then you will absolutely throw away an insane amount of opportunities for collaboration and friendship! Volunteer to HELP OTHERS, (even when it has nothing to do with you!) Do things for people! Simple things! Expect NOTHING in return! This is such a lost skill and I guarantee you that the time you spend doing this will improve your life drastically. Bear Gifts! (but don’t go broke!) The smallest of gifts can make the hugest of difference! Write quick cards for staff who help you, even in the smallest way! Buy coffee for others. Make cookies for your peeps! IDK! Be creative! Gosh do I have to do everything?! Bahaha! Kidding!!! Visit your colleagues, JUST BECAUSE!!! This is probably my favorite tip! It would be to your benefit if colleagues could look at you and not automatically think, “What does this SPED person want now?!” They’ll think this initially, of course, but you need to prove to them that you DON’T always need something! Pop your head into offices and classrooms when you see that someone isn’t so busy and just say, “Hey! How’s your day?”, and then BE ON YOUR WAY! You’ll bring a smile to their faces and you’ll earn brownie points all across campus. Praise the Fleeky Fleeks (People who are On Fleek, or doing well)! If you see someone who is ACTUALLY doing a great job of supporting students with different abilities, PRAISE THEM! This includes teachers, of course, but PLEASE remember: If you think for ONE second that teachers are above custodians, secretaries or paraprofessionals, I ought to yank your eyes out! DON’T be annoying! Praise ALL staff AND STUDENTS! Do it one on one, publically, via e-mail, facebook, snail-mail...whatever! Just do it! They deserve it and it will make them feel proud of their work. Speak the FUTURE into existence! Acknowledge teachers in front of others for doing what you would like them to do (even if they don’t do it...YET…)! Example: “Ms. Smith, I HAVE to tell you how cool it is when Ms. Johnson makes accommodations IN THE MOMENT during class! She totally provided audio support to one of our students during the quiz! It was EPIC!” Even if all she did was read a quiz question out loud out of frustration, she will feel proud of the public praise and she’ll likely take more pride in supporting students with disabilities. Present in General Education Classrooms, particularly those where you or your staff support students! This presentation should be short, sweet and fun! Don’t go talking about how each student with a disability is guaranteed FAPE and the accommodations outlined in their IEP. Any normal person (including myself) would roll their stinkin’ eyes at you! Instead, talk about the importance of accepting all people. Introduce your staff. Talk about differences and support methods. Tell students that they can talk to you anytime with questions/comments/concerns. Meet with Gen Ed Teachers CASUALLY! Drop by. Say, “Hey how are you?” Let the teacher ANSWER! Don’t ask the question just to sound nice and then ramble on about your own agenda. After hearing about the teachers deepest inner feelings, you might say, “I just wanted to check in about Sam. How’s he doing lately?” The less annoying and in-your-face you can be, the better! At the same time, though, you HAVE TO communicate! If you just send students to General Education and never check in, that’s when you get a bad rap! Hope you enjoy the TIPS! And remember...don’t be annoying
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May 2020
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