Today is my birthday! When we are young, we look forward to celebrating our special day with cupcakes, balloons, and friends. We make a wish for things that we hope will "come true" in the near future. I've noticed that some people feel less like celebrating as they get older. In fact, our culture reinforces this by using phrases such as "over the hill." We see ads for anti-aging creams and potions and are encouraged to reverse any sign of having lived. As I reflect on my past years of life, …
New Beginnings
Each fall teachers and students get to have a fresh start. After a summer break it’s a chance to reset, make new goals and try again (no matter how tough the last year was). I work in a county that begins school after Labor Day weekend, so in just a few days students and teachers will fill the hallways of schools in our area. On this day I will begin my ninth year as a special education teacher. For me this is truly a new beginning as I have been in the high school setting for eight years …