Reality 101: CEC's blog for new teachers

Megan: A Final Goodbye

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
 ~ From the movie Annie

It’s summer in Chicago! The weather’s warm and everyone’s outside. After months of cold and snow, Chicago comes alive in summertime.

Everyone always says that time flies, but this year it seems especially true. It feels like only weeks ago that I was applying to become a blogger for Reality 101. Just setting up my classroom, excited for the year to begin. Nervous as I started my master’s program. And here I am, a year later, and I feel like I’ve experienced so much in the past 12 months!

I’m very sad to say goodbye to this blog. I was so excited to become a part of something I felt was so worthwhile for new teachers. Thank you to everyone who read or commented on my blogs. Your thoughts have meant more than you know!

New Bloggers Debuting Aug. 1!

On Aug. 1, you'll meet Reality 101's new blogger lineup for 2011-12. Allisence, Jessica, Richard, and Theresa are all newly minted special educators, and they're excited to share the ins and outs, the ups and downs of the coming school year.

Stay tuned for what promises to be another dynamic and inspiring year at Reality 101.

Melissa: Happy Summer!

Well, it’s that time of year again: School’s out for the summer! All of my teacher friends breathe a sigh of relief, and all of my non-teacher friends think I’m off to sip iced tea on the beach for the next three months. Ah, if only. . . .

The school year came to a great end. I think my boys are as ready as they can be for the move to ninth grade and a new school. I still need to finish moving all my gear to my new classroom. And since both of my wonderful paraeducators are themselves returning to school this fall, I will be looking for new help in my room. I will also be adding some more students to my caseload, including some girls (finally!).

This is a very busy summer for me. I am teaching summer school to elementary students with disabilities, but none of them have autism. It is a whole different world from what I am used to, but I am having a blast! I’m team-teaching with a truly awesome special educator and the time is really flying by. The time I spend teaching counts as hours toward my internship for the special education strategist master’s degree I will finish in December.