Tag: disability

SCA Q&A

SCA Q&A

In 2019, the school I taught at reinstated March as “Inclusion Month” – a month filled with speakers and fundraisers and events to promote the acceptance, respect, and inclusion of all individuals. So, in light of this, I took a couple of days to do something a bit different in my classroom. (What? I wasn’t actively test prepping!? It’s okay, I’m no longer a teacher.)

I said to my students, “The best way to learn about something is to ask questions, right? Now, part of Inclusion Month is learning about disabilities so you can better include people who have them. And lucky for you, you all personally know someone with a disability whom you can ask questions!”

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Top Teaching Tips

Top Teaching Tips

Since this is the first September in 25 years that I’m not excitedly going back to school, I’d love to instead share some teaching tips for anyone out there who’s brave enough to be educating teenagers for a living. 

To prove that other teachers should read this, let me throw some credentials at you: I taught high school English for eight years (all grade levels, plus A.P. Literature), have a Masters in Literacy, and three NYS teaching certifications. And, I mean, if you want to put a “teaching with a disability” label on this, I did this all with a chronic illness. So, there you go.

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Goin’ Down the Country: Road Trip #2, Pt I

Goin’ Down the Country: Road Trip #2, Pt I

After taking a road trip, it’s impossible to get in your car and not want to just go. To head to a different state. To explore. To see something new. Knowing you don’t need a ticket, or reservations, or plans… You could just go.

Except that being an adult sort of gets in your way.

So, my husband & I suffocated a whole year before my glorious two-week Spring Break came and we took off again! Having conquered the West, our next goal was to head as far south we could: Key West.

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How to Address Someone (with a disability)

How to Address Someone (with a disability)

Half the reason I became a high school teacher is to do my part in reducing the number of ignorant adults in this world.

My students knew, probably because I repeatedly told them, that my primary goal was to make sure they were good human beings. Of course I cared if they could analyze fiction, but the point in learning that is so they could analyze real people and events.

You’d be surprised at the number of adults who can do no such thing. Who don’t analyze situations before speaking. Who see someone with a disability and take staring to a whole new level.

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Five Items that make Life Easier

Five Items that make Life Easier

Life with a disability is tough; I really can’t sugarcoat it.

I have a tendency of doing half-chores: dishes will stay in the dishwasher, laundry in the dryer… I am unbelievably lucky to have a husband to literally help me live. I think I could get by unassisted, but every second would be overwhelming and exhausting.

However, if you want items to make days easier, do I have some personal recommendations for you! Behold five things I use on an almost-daily basis to do just that…

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