Oh my goodness...it has been two years since I've blogged...I'm so embarrassed.

Life, and all its beautiful wonder, has truly gotten in the way, along with learning all the other social media outlets like Twitter, Google Plus, Periscope, the list goes on forever it seems.

Last year was awesome and this year I expect to be a new sort of awesome. I'm never sure what each year will bring because I generally have a new group of students that I get to learn about and help find their place in the world. I'm going to make what I call a "New School Year Resolution, " and try to keep this blog more up-to-date with exciting things happening in our program.

Until then I'll be finding ways to keep up and cross-use the social media world. Wish me luck!

Texas Transition Conference

If you are in special education at a secondary level, as a VAC/CBVI teacher, life skills teacher or transition coordinator...the Texas Transition Conference is the place to be! Feb. 20-22 in Austin.

ttc.tamu.edu

Happy New Year!

What an awesome ear it has been so far! I have one student working in the janitorial dept. of a local factory, another at Taco Bell. Our newest student, Cyle, has started the long process of building a resume, job searching, filling out applications and interviewing. He will be participating in a mock interview next week to help prepare him for the questions of asked in an interview.

Where are your students employed and what (if any) background work did you do when trying to get a student hired?

A new year

Wow, I'm almost 99% certain I have less extra time with only 3 rather than the 7 my first year!
It's been another great start to yet another great year.
I sometimes feel like I'm in 1950 at the Transition House because, yet again, we are without Internet and looking up everything in a variety of different books. It's been such a long road getting our facility everything needed and within district guidelines of funding. So...in making a funny...this would have been me in 1950....had I been born years earlier. Happy 2012-2013!

August 1...let the countdown begin!

I have decided that the first thing on my agenda for August 1 (the day my sweet new baby starts daycare) is to block off 4 complete hours to read through all of my friends blogs and see what cool things they've blogged about over the past few months. Then start on all my to-do lists!

I've been able to add a few more blogger teacher friends in between changing diapers, making (or washing) bottles, playing with my 3-year-old and of course the housework. What husband?! ;)

There are so many cool teachers out there. I aspire to possess, even a fraction, of your great talent. Thank you all for being such inspirations to me!

Vote for Mrs. Virdell's Blog

Please go vote for my teacher blog, by following this link!!

A new award!

I don't know much about the awards, but I do feel extra special when I get any kind of award! Thank you faithful readers and fellow bloggers!

Happy Summer!

Our newest transition family member has arrived, so I'm enjoying this nice summer break with my new bundle of joy, Kamryn.
Closer to August, this blog will be hopping again with great info about the transition program!
Stay tuned and happy summer.

The final countdown

I have officially embarked on week 32 of my pregnancy and I am so excited to be finishing out the year with my students before this baby arrives.

It has been such a wild last few months. Having all of my students aging out at the same time creates such a strain on the brain in trying to plan ahead.

If I could wave my magic wand, I would wish for 100% support on the home front in the transitioning process and with that support for my students to continue working post program.

Many of my students have only known public school since they were 3-years-old, so breaking out into the real world of unstructured schedules is tough.

At a network meeting last week, a presenter told us we, as 18+ program teachers, need to be giving parents a blank schedule at the beginning of the program and having them really look at what they want that students daily schedule to look like when they complete the program. I helps to build better IEP's and keeps everyone realistic in expectations. Great idea!!

Everyday is a learning opportunity as an 18+ teacher and the more of us there are swapping ideas, the richer our programs will be!

The mountain tops and slumps

While I would like to paint the picture of being an 18+ teacher as fun 24/7, the truth is, it's not always rosy.

Disappointment is one of the absolute worst parts of being a teacher at any age level, but it really hits you hard with this type of program. Having a student just walk away when they show so much potential, being lied to repetitively, or having to do damage control from manufactured rumors between students and outside sources can get me down faster than anything else.

It is all very trying and many times it's additionally stressful in trying not to make it a personal fault as a teacher, but rather simply a bad decision made by adult students.

The peaks are, of course, the breath of fresh air that help re-gain focus. One such example is me asking a student what she wants for graduation and getting a teary, "Just a pair of shoes nobody else has worn." Yes, I cried too...more like sobbed at the humble request.

It only takes one special moment every once in awhile to erase the bad situations, and that's what fuels me to stay in education. I hope you all have those too.

Concession Stand Fun

Early last week my program decided to take on the task of running a concession stand for our districts 2nd Annual Special Olympics Track Meet.

What an undertaking! One if my students was so bored in his "guard the money" duties that he decided cat naps would help pass the time. I had to share this picture because it's do priceless!

This was our first concession stand so there was a slight learning curve...like hot dogs sell (and bring a better profit return) and candy is too expensive to NOT sell out of. I believe we made all of $25 due to a lot of product purchased but not sold, so we are making notes and plan to strategize our concessions better next year!

The silver lining: we had a blast!

New doesn't always mean better

Hi Blogger friends! I bet you think I've forgotten about my blog...I can assure you I haven't. For the past month we have been without Internet at our brand new facility. I'd tell you all the excuses reasons I've been given, but neither of us have the extra free time to read through it. So I'm hoping we will have it back soon and I can catch up on picture-posting and blogging about all the exciting things going on in our little corner of the world.
My home computer doesn't have the photos loaded onto it, so I rely heavily that connection for pictures from the camera, instead of my iPhone.

In the meantime, please watch our Twitter roll!

Hello to all of my blogger friends! I'm sorry for the long delay in posts- it has been such a busy semester....not complaining though...I'm on spring break and finally getting caught up on my favorite blogs!

If you haven't looked at the Twitter roll on the right of this page, you'll want to see our gorgeous bluebonnets covering the yard at our facility! Wow! Truly the best time of year in our area...everything is in bloom!

Next Friday we are holding our 2nd annual garage sale. When the program started, the main fundraiser was candle sales. Last year we really looked at how our students would truly "fundraise" in their own lives post-program and opted to do a garage sale. I believe that year we made about $400 which is amazing!! This year our donations are down, but it's really about the experience that our students get in putting on a sale. It will go on to serve many of them in the future, very well, I hope. Pictures will follow the sale!

On an exciting note... Our facility is getting an iPad! I'm thrilled about this because it will allow for my job coaches who need to teach students various tools on the job sites, how to do it, using some really cool checklist apps. Do you have a favorite life application app? If so please comment and share!

Have a great Friday everyone!

It's here!

This is truly my favorite time of the year...

Texas Transition Conference 2012!


If you are planning on being at the conference, please let me know! I would love to meet up with some of my SpEd blogger friends!

Transition Fair

Two of our local 18+ program teachers, from Westlake (Eanes ISD) and Lake Travis (Lake Travis ISD) put on a wonderful Transition Fair this weekend in Lake Travis.

The fair had approximately 50 vendors from various types of government agencies, private organizations and non-profit organizations, with booths set up and eager people ready to tell you about the services they can offer your special needs child or students.

I wish I could post everything I collected because WOW...these vendors provided such a plethora of great information for the very young students up to adults. One of the stand-outs for me was our local NAMI group. I have honestly never heard of this national organization, but they truly blew me away with their passion and transparent eagerness to help educate families, educators and anyone else who may be effected by someone with some sort of mental illness. I'm going to make it my mission to get these ladies connected to my director and hopefully hold an information session to better educate me and the rest of my SpEd team.

If you are in the Austin-area and didn't get to go, please email me and I'll send the packet via PDF email to you...OR...if you are just interested in seeing what types of services would be offered at such an event...email me. I'm so happy to share this great information!

About Me

A huge thanks to my blogger buddy, Karlie, over at We are ALL Special!
So here are the rules:

1. You must post the rules.
2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged.
4. Tag 12 people and link them on your post.
5. Let them know you've tagged them!

Fun Facts About Me

1. I live in the same little town I grew up in...only leaving for college at Texas State University- San Marcos Eat'em Up Cats!!
2. I met my husband at a bank...he was the banker and I, his secretary...he loves to tell this story to make it sound scandalist, only he leaves out the facts that we were both in our early 20's and single.
3. I have one daughter...at present...but expecting my next little girl in June. Very exciting!
4. My degree is in Public Relations, but I soon learned it's entirely too cut-throat for me...and went back to my original plan in becoming a teacher.
5. I could eat Tex-Mex every meal of the day...and, admittedly, have before. If you don't know what Tex-Mex is...click the link to one of my favorite restaurants, Matt's El Rancho!
6. One of my favorite writers is Lisa Kogan and I only take the O Magazine to read her columns. I recently bought her book and am enjoying very much!
7. I love to cook and Pinterest makes me want to cook that much more!
8. My celebrity crush is Channing Tatum...he's stole my heart in Dear John and I suspect it will be the same with The Vow.
9. I am a very picky, yet widely diverse music lover...I enjoy old country, classic rock and lots of 90's hip-hop and alternative.
10. My favorite place to vacation is Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Now it's my turn to learn about you....

Mrs. Blanton
Andrea
Michelle
Rachel
Ms. Hall
Kate
Karla

1. Where do you live/Where are you from?

I live in the beautiful hill country of Texas...almost the same place I grew up!

2. What is your best teaching advice?

Ask a lot of questions in the beginning of any new position, and above all...treat the kids like mini adults. They seem to appreciate the respect and give it in return.

3. If you could only keep one thing that's currently in your classroom what would it be?

I have a very unique "classroom" so I would probably say my scanner. It's cut my files in half!

4. What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend?

Shop of course, but anything that I can do with my daughter and husband is a great weekend...Sea World, Local Zoo, Going to the park, etc.

5. How long have you been teaching?

This is my second year

6. What is your favorite teaching memory?

Doing a community scavenger hunt. I organized clues at various important places around town and they students learned about their community while hunting for some missing pumpkins. It was a BLAST and the places involved got a huge thrill out of it. Win, win!

7. What is your favorite store?

Target

8. What do you typically wear to school?

Right now, maternity khakis, a long shirt and Sketchers...but generally slacks, a blose top and slippers/sandals

9. What is your favorite activity to do with your students?

Anything in the community. That is where they will spend their time post-program and it's a lot of fun to be among our community members.

10. What is your favorite book?

I don't get a whole lot of time to read, but I really enjoyed reading Tina Fey's "BossyPants." Everything is so serious in the world, I enjoy comic relief when I escape to a book.

11. Do you have a Pinterest?

Yes! I'm so addicted. I thought Facebook was bad...geez.

12. What is your favorite restaurant?

When I can afford it, Trulucks...but anytime Matt's El Rancho or Outback Steakhouse

1. Which state/region are you currently teaching?
2. What has been your most awesome "ah-ha" moment in special education?
3. How did you feel your very first day on the job (first year or in a new position)?
4. What age group do you teach and is it your preferred grade?
5. What is one component of Special Education/Teaching you connect to the most?
6. What is your "go to" song when it's just been one of those days?
7. Do you have teacher assistants and what is the best things about having them in your room?
8. What are your hobbies outside of work?
9. Do you have a favorite website that you cannot go one day without viewing?
10. Which store do you find it most difficult not to spend $100 on any given day?
11. Do you have a bucket list and if so, what is one thing you want to do the most?
12. Favorite sitcoms/anticipated movies for the spring?
Thanks for reading! I hope you will all participate so I can learn more about my favorite teachers, inside and outside of the public profession.

The Mid-Year Funk

I am really in search of some inspiration and uplift right now. It's January 26th...about the same time last year I found myself in the mid-year funk.

We've had so many changes in our district recently...and for me...added classes on top of now having to give an assessment test....has me feeling really funky right now. I'm sure these changes are all for the good of the children (or at least I can hope) and I'm trying hard to avoid the negative Nancy's who paint the doom-and-gloom murals during happy hour or in passing at the grocery store. But it's often very hard to overlook their, sometimes, very valid points and even harder not to let it get the best of me.

How do you get through the mid-year funk?

Party Planning Lesson: Creating the Seven-Layer Dip

I'm so sad to say that one of my darling students is flying the coop and moving on to brighter places in the world with her family.

The silver lining (we must always find a silver lining) is now we get to plan a party! I gathered up my "party committee" of students and staff and we voted to have light finger foods and a cake at the going away party.

We've honestly never hosted a party that didn't include a huge meal, as crazy as that sounds, so menu planning was somewhat of a new animal to tackle. One of the suggestions was "dips."

Oh how I love you Pinterest!

We ended up with a recipe from none other than "The Girl Who Ate Everything" (She's fabulous by the way)!

Individual Seven Layer Dip

My students had a BLAST with this...the concept of layering really perked their interest and the assembly line we had going was more than comical. The girls had the giggles, I had the giggles...it was just a great little lesson.

I especially appreciated the fact that one student said, "Now people can't double dip!" What a fantastic point to make! Maybe I'll start doing individual cups, for eveything that can be dipped, at home! (wink)

So this fun little creation will be making a very pretty appearance at our "Bon Voyage" party in two weeks. Pictures will follow the party!

Funday Friday: Bob Bullock Texas State History...IMAX

Photo from the Bob Bullock Website



It's a real world experience at it's best and nothing that I could possibly (want to) manufacture in a classroom setting.

Hello friends! I'm sorry for the delay in posts...getting back into the swing of things and starting STAAR Testing has been my top priority the past two weeks.

Last Friday we joined two area 18+ programs at the Bob Bullock State History Museum...for an IMAX movie. It was awesome to say the least. This is one of the huge perks to being a teacher in an 18+ program...the awesome outings selected by students. The highlight of course is taking a student who has never been outside of the county to the downtown area of Austin. Shock and awe doesn't describe it!

Here's a just a snippet of our many conversations:

Student: "What is that person doing against the wall?
Mrs. Virdell: "Sweetie, he's peeing. Look away"

It's LIFE...it changes...

One of the very first things I learned about being a Life Skills teacher is that you have to be flexible and understand an ever-changing schedule. I was leisurely expressing this concept to one of my teacher aides, who was coming into my program from general education, and she said it best:

"It's like a palm tree...if it doesn't sway, it will break...so we'll just be palm trees."

And now you know why I love her so! If only she would paint it on a piece of weathered wood and sell it on Esty. I'm certain it would be a hit with other special education teachers.

So being a palm tree...I had to re-apply that concept when I was told in November,
"Oh by the way...I know we are three months into the school year already, but on top of your job, you now have two HS Life Skills classes, twice a week that you will need to teach (and do paperwork on)."

Awesome.

You can probably guess that conversation is quickly followed up with,
"Oh by the way, you're also responsible for doing all the testing administrator training, teaching and End-of-Course testing all of the life skills juniors on US History and English III."

And we're swaying....

I know with the budget crisis hitting many of your schools (and let's be honest, you personally), there is a lot of swaying going on. Some days, everything blowing your way is much harder to deal with, but I'm certain that with a positive attitude...and remembering the love we all have for these children and of course  the almighty paycheck too...we will survive!