Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome

I am reaching out to all of you who might happen across this page.

Last year, my beautiful niece Aubrey was born with Down Syndrome. The diagnosis brought a lot of different emotions to my family.

This year we are participating in the Buddy Walk to help raise money for the Down Syndrome Association of Orange County. With this money, the Down Syndrome Association of Orange County will help people with Down Syndrome reach their full potential, as well as provide activities, seminars, and support groups.

My niece was born with a blockage in her stomach, two holes in her heart, as well as the need for tubes in her ears. She has made great strides and is doing amazing since her surgeries. The DSAOC has helped my sister and her husband (as well as my whole family) through this time period by providing support and information that we should know.

My wish is this:
If you have the means, please support this wonderful and amazing organization by making a donation. The Buddy Walk is November 6th. Your donation is greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!

http://www.buddywalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=487312&lis=1&kntae487312=B8D4DBA67D2442138A9A7AFBF9D65FBF&supId=336070775

Purgatory

I’ll be straight. The place I work is full of negativity. Every day there is something new in the bad news pile. Last week, the death of a student. Last month, the most caring teacher this school has seen was not brought back after being laid off. Seeing people who don’t give a crap about what goes on with the students that they are in charge of is aggravating to say the least.

Today was my first day back in the middle school classroom. It is a big adjustment for me, going from high school Biology and Environmental Science to middle school Physical and Life Science, English, History, and Math. Yes, Math. The pressure to contain what comes out of my mouth and bring myself back down to the middle school level as opposed to talking to 19-20 year old students is immense.

I am stressed out. It is evident by the amount of nail biting I have been doing. I have had to relearn how to teach middle school, learn the habits and idiosyncrasies of my new students, and figure out what a function is.

I am one of those people who plans, has things worked out, is prepared for what is going to happen. I have been thrown into a situation where I don’t know what is going to happen next. It is a scary place to be. I am trying to bring my students happiness, but it is difficult when decisions have been made that affect my ability to do that.

My writing has always reflected how I felt on any given day. Hopefully tomorrow it will be more cheerful. Hopefully tomorrow better decisions will be made.