EBD Blog

Mrs. Ris recounts her experiences in and observations about teaching students with emotional and behavioral disorders at a site she updates periodically. It offers lots of good insights. Here are two examples. In the first, after giving directions to students about what they should do over the summer, she ends the entry with an observation that others teachers will really understand.

Finally, I close my classroom door with the familiar lump in my throat. I am used to this weird feeling of relief and expectation. Still, closing the book on this group of kids, this set of challenges and worries, this chance to make a difference, feels right. Before long I’ll be planning new and wonderful activities for next year.

For now, I count my blessings.

I am so lucky to be a teacher.

In an earlier entry, she starts with a recounting of several events during a school day. This is one that will resonate especially clearly with those who have taught special education.

Today was one of those days when our special ed program felt more like a hospital unit than the local elementary school. For my colleagues, and anyone else who is interested, here is a recap: (not in any particular order. Gawd, it would take too much out of me to try and remember the actual timeline!)

One first grader arrived almost an hour tardy, ran into the building from his car, his mom drove off without signing him into the office; he zoomed eighty miles an hour through the halls and down to our room, arriving out of breath, no backpack, no lunchbox … and no meds! He growled through a good part of the morning lessons.

One little one was in crisis over 50% of the day…. In and out of the counselor’s office, back to class, then flipping out, screaming and crying, running and kicking. (It’s part of a bipolar cycle, not much we can do about it.)

New kid kicked me twice, HARD, on the upper thigh. Later complimented me on my watch and bracelet combination. He’s got a sense of style, that one.

‘Nuther new kid peed on the walls of the time out booth in anger.

The gen ed principal was helping to calm a frantic kid…then he hocked a big loogie at her and it dripped down her nose. Now she REALLY knows the answer as to why we don’t get more of our students fully prepared for the state standardized tests.

Wonderful! But, don’t believe me. Go read it yourself. Mrs. Ris holds forth at MentorMatters.