The waiting game -YUCK!

Welcome the newest member to the Waiting Game - ME!  Sadly, the levy failed in the district in which I teach... so now I sit and wait. (By the way, Lexi's levy failed too and I am still answering daily questions for her!) Will 9 years be enough seniority to keep me safe?  My gut is telling me no, not this time!  The cuts will need to be steep this round!  Senate Bill 5 may be a tad too late for me.  Yes, the bill needs much revamping, but it does stand for one key element I support wholeheartedly and that is dismantling the idea that years worked means that you are nearly untouchable when it comes to RIF's, or staff reducations. 

It burns me up to know that I am working my tail off and constantly following the most recent research and implementing the most current strategies, and yet I will be the first to go, over the teacher who would still be using the ditto machine if given the opportunity.  My lessons change each year with each new batch of kiddos.  I have not taught the same book report or writing assignment for the past 10 years, as though it is a rite of passage - regardless of how outdated it has become.  In fact, I have yet to see a year in my 12 year career that even slightly resembles the past year.  

I enjoy being overly involved in committees and love the chance to step up as a leader, rather than be a follower. I am the life long learner that most school mission statements declare they are creating within their walls.  I seek change and challenge when people want to do the same that has always been done, yet expect something new to be produced in return.  I am a perfectionist and like knowing things are done the right way the first time around.  Mediocrity is simply not acceptable in my eyes - I strive to be always operating at my fullest potential and then some!  

" Only mediocrity is safe. Therefore, be the best and get prepared to be attacked". Paulo Coelho

Yet now I fear all these characteristics within me will be forced to a grinding halt.  It is not that I will give up, but it is the mere truth that the market is becoming overly saturated with educators!  So many positions are being cut that when push comes to shove, isn't it only logical that a district will seek to hire the cheapest teacher, not necessarily the one with the most experience and a proven track record? 

As with anything, time will tell.  Maybe this is the sign that I need to forge ahead and enter the realm of administration a few years earlier than planned.  (Although with Mike's schooling, I am struggling to grasp how this will be doable - our children are so dependent on us still at their current ages!  It isn't fair to them for Dad to be at work all day and then school all night.Plus, I could be living at my school due to added responsibilities. NOT IDEAL! )  

So, let's add this to the prayer list.  I will not pray for my job, as that is out of my hands at this stage in the game.  Instead, I will pray that my Master Plan be one that allows me to continue to impact the lives of children for the better, to create bold transforming changes in the field of education for the best, and to leave the world a better place than that of which I started.  If the opportunities that I am provided allow me to do all this, as well as allow me to pursue my personal best as mother and wife, then I will chalk it all up as an answered prayer.  Amen.

A day at the doctor's....

So, today was Linc's annual allergy check in.  It is here that we learn each year, what allergies have lessened, and what allergies remain.  In fact, it is here that we voice new concerns and sometimes go home with new allergies once tests confirm our hunches.  These visits to the allergist are always bitter sweet.  We go in anticipation of good news, but typically leave with the realization that a modified diet needs to continue for our little trooper!


As I review his history each spring with Dr. T., I am reminded of how far we have come!  It was a mere 4 years ago that he was allergic to corn, strawberries, tomato, peanuts, milk, egg, apple, chocolate!  We didn't give up then.  I  lived strictly off of chicken, rice, and broccoli for a a full year as I continued to nurse him and provide the best!  


Then we learned that the our little guy was allergic to cold.  (Yes, cold!)  Water had to be just the right temp or his poor body would break out in hives!  Cold urticaria we later learned it was called, made that year feel like the longest one yet!  The summer wading pool and the water table needed to be filled with warm water from the house. The sprinkler was off limits.  Then in fall and winter, we had to cover as much skin as possible, as any skin exposed to the chilly air would swell and cover in hives!  The poor kid was essentially living in a bubble!  Yet, we embraced the regiment and kept him safe.  


Only, a short time later we discovered he had become anaphylaxis to tree nuts after having a cereal bar one day that contained walnuts!  His eyes and ears swelled shut, he began vomitting and wheezing, and then came the coughing and sleepiness (BP dropping).  I can still recall my frantic drive to the hospital talking to him to keep him awake!  I think I aged a good 10 years in a matter of less than 10 minutes!  I have never ever felt so helpless in my life! We left the doctor that day with an Epipen  that we now carry EVERYWHERE we go!


So, all this being said - we have had a roller coaster of a ride thus far.  But today, Dr. T. and looked back and  celebrated how far he has come is such a short time!  Today he only remains allergic to dairy, eggs, and tree nuts! He is sensitive to white fish and apple skins still, but no tests ever truly prove this, other than us watching him react by violently purging his body anytime he ingests these two items.  Apparently his tummy knows something that his bloodwork and skin tests to do not!  


He is no longer allergic to cold temps!  He loves chocolate like all other 4 year olds!  He adores strawberries, PB&J sandwiches, and corn on the cob!  What a difference a few short years make!  =)   He is even beginning to tolerate dairy in baked items!  We will attempt a milk challenge under the careful watch of Dr. T. at the end of June.  We will allow him to drink milk every 30 minutes at the hospital and see how his body reacts.  It will take 4 hours (just as his peanut challenge went 2 years ago!), but we will leave knowing what we can expect when he ingests milk.  (Needless to say I will be a nervous wreck that day!)


Here is a photo of his skin test today. He sobbed uncontrollably this morning while this was being done - a first for him.  Up until today, he had always handled this with smiles and patience. Was tough on my heart today!  Not to mention before we left we received his final MMR vaccination!  (Poor kiddo was through the ringer today!)

#1= milk,
#2=egg,
#3-8 the white fish panel,
 #9-14=tree nut panel (cashews, almonds, pecans, walnuts, macadamia, pistachio)
#15= saline control
#16=histamine 

  

THANK YOU!

In Lieu of the news of Osama Bin Laden's death, it only seems fitting that we take an extra moment and thank the brave men and women overseas serving our country!  

Thank you for a job well done!

(photo sent from our adopted Marine - Tino)

Nervous tonight...

Tomorrow is election day.  Levies blanket the area ballots and nerves are in jumbled heaps.  

Get out there and VOTE YES!!! 

Tonight, as Mike and I made muffins for Ledgeview's Staff Appreciation week, I can't help but worry about what lies ahead for public education.  School funding in Ohio is broken, and now to make matters worse, Governor Kasich is sending the message that besides being broken, it simply is not important, as proven by his most recent state budget proposal (and debilitating cuts.).


How do I explain to my child that her future rests in the hands of her neighbors, her community, and the biases those individuals may carry with them?  How do I tell her that Mom and Dad will vote YES, but that we can't force others to do so.  She asks why others don't think her teachers are important and why others don't think she deserves a good school.  I have no answers.   


We preach patience and understanding in our home.  We remind our children constantly that others have opinions and they are allowed to believe as they wish.  We cannot squash the ideals of others, even if they go against all that we believe.   The world is made of a hodge-podge of diversity and most of the time, that magical mix works!


Yet, she is coming home with messages from school that those voting NO on the levy are doing a HUGE disservice.  I get it!  (I live it after all!)  However, what a shame that my 7 year old is forced to burden the weight of the political games and have ZERO power over being a member of this losing school funding team.  Ironic that the little bodies that are the most affected are the ones with no voice!  Disheartening that she holds so much potential in her hands, her heart, and her soul, yet if the community feels they are financially strapped, then she loses! 


How do I get stubborn adults to realize that they can forgo their morning lattes, their subscription to 500 television stations, their weekly dining expenses, their packs of cigarettes, or their top of the line vehicles and likely find the money in their household budgets to support the levy?  After all, in this day and age, when we are in a world of convenience and instant gratification, it is difficult for most to see that we need to put our money down for a long term investment - our children.   There is no instant win, no automatic payout when we fund our future!  Sorry.  Yet, I can promise that there is immeasurable joy in providing our youth with opportunities to succeed, and numerous chances to discover the potential each child holds inside, if only they are believed in!

Here is what I remind others of tonight: 

Change can be hard, painful, and typically unpopular.  Yet, change is contagious, empowering, and necessary to grow and learn! 

Stop shifting the blames and instead realize that change starts with one person.  

One person standing up for the GREATER cause!  

One person believing that our children are worth it!  

One person trusting that educators are doing a job well done, and deserve the resources and recognition to continue to excel in their craft!

One person taking the road less traveled and speaking with purposeful words - instead of words that cut like knives.

I am choosing to be that person!  These levies will pass tomorrow!  I believe that my children are worth it.  I believe that my fellow educators are worth it!  I will assure my sweet young child that the best we can do is remain positive and hold our heads high!  I cannot promise that this will be enough, but I can promise her that I will never give up on obtaining all that she deserves.  Life is not a smooth road, and often times we are unable to see the "whys" while we are behind the drivers seat.  In due time, the Master plan comes into focus - and until that day comes, we will press forward - one day at a time, all the while sleeping soundly because we have done all that we can do, to the best of our ability, with the best of intentions deep in our hearts!  Sleep well my innocent child!