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tanya s

tanya s

I use Shelfari mainly to keep track of favorite books I might want to read again, or recommend to friends... I also use the "plan to read" shelf as a wish list, so that I don't forget which books I want next (hint, hint, shoppers!). I can't possibly take the time to enter all books I've read, or am reading, or own; I'd have no time left for reading!
  • member since August 2 2008

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  • Karen

    Karen says

    I know a little about OT, Tanya. During my last 11 years of teaching in a classroom, my 2nd grade classroom was next to aclassroom of 3 and 4 year old special needs program (with a fantastic teacher and aides). My class and I often saw a lot of special equipment being used by the children. Mine was the only classroom near theirs as the computer lab was across from both our classrooms and the boys and girls lavatories was on the other side of them.

    You will appreciate this: During the first week of school, my students would occassionally hear crying and/or screaming next door as the students learned to adjust to their new setting. They would also notice diapers in the bathroom trash cans and sometimes observe an aide taking a special needs child or two to the bathroom or the OT person helping a child out in the hall. Their reactions ran the spectrum of giggling, pointing and smirking to asking the aid or OT teacher if she needed help. Once I felt their curiousity peaked and/or questions were being asked, we would have a discussion concerning our little neighbors next door. I explained that they were young children with learning and/or physical needs that were so severe that they needed to start school earlier than usual to get special learning help. During our discussion, some children would tell about their experience with siblings or other relatives or friends with special needs. We would always discuss why some still wore diapers. We discussed how they were fortunate to be able to get help at such an early age and how these children had to work so much harder than them since some had to learn things like how to talk or walk or use a piece of equipment to communicate or move around. But the thing that I liked to share with them most during our discussion was when I would say something like this: "You were picked to be in this classroom because our principal knew that you would be a good example for these children. She knew that you would show them proper respect and be good examples of the way to behave and would be helpful if needed." The rest of the year, they felt responsible and acted accordingly. No more snickers or stares, just proud faces and helpful hands when needed. :-)

    This subjective teaching and discussions like this are what I miss most about being retired. I loved how my class and I became a "family" united in caring about one another and I loved helping and watching them grow in so many areas but mostly in the area of compassion and caring. I so miss that experience.

    I sadly can relate to your comment about the lack of enthuiasim and caring of some teachers. What bothered me most was when I would be eating in the faculty room and a teacher would talk negatively about a student or make fun of a student by acting like she was that student in a mocking way. I would think to myself, "If she feels no qualms about talking or acting like this in here, what, heaven forbid, does she do with these students in her classroom behind closed doors? Thankfully, I taught with a majority of teachers who really cared and spent oodles of time and their own money in creatiing a child centered classroom. But even one teacher like the fomer is too many.

    Well, I'm off my soapbox now! Take care fellow educator. :-)

    posted 13 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Karen

    Karen says

    Hi Tanya,
    I read your Wolves...post in the Alex. group and the articles from the two urls that you shared as well. Your comment about the Native American woman "reflecting a deep respect for the natural world, and a sense of kinship with other living things" reminded me of a book that I bought and read in 1970 and have reread over the years. I had previously recommemded it to Jay C in a post on the Alex. group so I didn't want to be redundant, but I do want to make you aware of it as it is a wonderful, enlightening read. It is called Can the Red Man Help the White Man by Sylvester M. Morley. It is no longer in print, but can be bought through Amazon used for as little as $4.22.

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Jay C

    Jay C says

    Hi Tanya. Thanks for the note and so glad you joined us at the Alex Group.
    My icon...well a few years ago the road that leads to my home was just gravel and full of potholes. I live almost at the bottom of a hill near the lake and in Spring the traffic used to create clouds of dust, especially in the spring.
    Now the road has been paved! The traffic now goes twice as fast!!! I am one of those folks that likes to enjoy my living in the countryside at a relatively slow pace. I've had enough of the urban rush. So the old sign still stands!
    Cheers. Jay

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Karen

    Karen says

    I just finsihed reading your book reviews. I want to thank you for taking the time to write them as they were quite helpful. You have added so many books to my TBR list--so many that I decided to come to your favorites shelf as a reference rather than adding them to my wish list. ;-)

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Martha A Cheves

    Martha A Cheves says

    I hope you will like Stir, Laugh, Repeat and please do let me know what you think about my recipes that you might cook.

    posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • jenuineindigo1

    jenuineindigo1 says

    Hi Tanya: It's a joy to share book friendship here! "Life is so good, is a wonderful incredibly affirming & encouraging story. One of those books I wanted to buy a case of, and share with everyone I know! Keep enjoying the boundless nature of imagination through great books! I love books! Looking forward to hearing of your favorite reads! Jen

    posted 8 months ago. ( send a note )


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