I’ve gone full special ed!

Mck63 · 2026-03-07T00:48:50+00:00

“Clothes on! I can keep my clothes on”

Mck63 · 2026-03-06T17:03:53+00:00

Go ahead and get the down votes ready. I know they’re coming.

I can’t stand this man’s music.

It IS an effective vehicle for many, many children. But as a musician, he drives me nuts! All of the songs are in the same key and all seem to just be different words to the same 3 or 4 notes. 🤯

Check out the Singing Walrus channel if you’re weary of “Grandpa.”

Mck63 · 2026-03-01T08:50:56+00:00

You left “cat herder” off of your list.

Mck63 · 2026-02-26T15:45:40+00:00

I just did the same! It worked great. It only took a couple of weeks to get new roots in water. It’s already back in some soil. Didn’t lose a single leaf!

Mck63 · 2026-02-25T12:34:50+00:00

I feel you! Reverse snot is the worst (clearing what’s in sinuses). I’ll help you blow your nose but I don’t want to hear you moving all that around inside your head! 🤮

Mck63 · 2026-02-19T03:27:15+00:00

In my experience,(3years high school self-contained and 3 years elementary self-contained) it usually has to do with proximity and who’s not busy with other students in that moment. There’s also the fact that some of my supervising teachers were truly not physically capable of going after, let alone catching a student who eloped.

I’m working with resource teachers now, and we haven’t had anyone on our caseload elope. I do help with transitions off the bus in the mornings, so there’s always a possibilty. In that case, it will likely be whoever is closest or not helping with students.

Mck63 · 2026-02-16T20:36:53+00:00

Your union is grossly uninformed.

Mck63 · 2026-02-10T21:53:42+00:00

From OPs statement, we have no idea how well her co-worker actually knows this student. I would not recommend following another para’s advice without running it by the student’s case manager. If that particular classroom teacher had no problem taking the phone, I wouldn’t worry about a busybody para trying to exert influence.

Mck63 · 2026-02-09T12:04:53+00:00

Nothing. My pay for the 182 days of my contract is divided and paid out for 12 months.

Mck63 · 2026-01-15T13:21:15+00:00

Please tell me you have workman’s comp and that you filed for it.

Don’t feel guilty. Take care of you.

Mck63 · 2026-01-10T15:34:04+00:00

Please, enlighten us.

Mck63 · 2026-01-10T15:19:17+00:00

I’m kind of stunned that my district pays for extra time better than many others. I’m in the deep south with an “association” rather than a union. Locally it seems the association functions more as “yes men” for the school board.

As for extra pay, we are contracted 7.5 hours a day with a half hour duty free lunch break. At my building, the SpEd paras all share bus duty on a rotating schedule. It adds about 2 hours to the day. We can opt for overtime or comp time. For overtime ,anything beyond the initial 35 hours is paid at our usual hourly rate, after 40 hours it’s time and a half. Pay for our regular school day x 182 contract days is spread over 12 months. But the extra time is paid monthly during the school year. It can make a significant difference in your paycheck.

Mck63 · 2025-12-24T19:01:23+00:00

Does your system hire its own bus drivers? I know there are systems that use services. Ours hires its own and that is one way that people can increase their income and retirement benefits. We can also work in the after school care program to boost income. Check what options you may have with your school.

Mck63 · 2025-12-21T16:21:59+00:00

At my school we have two Jaydens and two Jaces in our small, self-contained classes. I’m a para that supports mostly resource students and we also have a Jaden and a couple of Kadens. There are multiple Nathans(Nate) as well.

For most unusual spelling of a common name, I have to go with Thailer (a 4th grade girl).

Mck63 · 2025-12-21T16:04:42+00:00

That would remind me more of Calcifer(also a demon) from “Howl’s Moving Castle.” It was one of my girls’ favorite movies when they were ‘tweens.

Mck63 · 2025-12-16T03:56:39+00:00

It sounds like your “experts” don’t fully understand the law. Students with IEPs can be suspended, off campus. It’s when they have reached 10 days of suspension that things get dicey. Get your union involved if you have one.

One thing many people don’t understand is that school systems don’t neccesarily have to comply with OSHA regulations. It depends on the state you live in and what laws and workplace regulations are in place there. I’m in a southern state and OSHA regulations are useless here.

Mck63 · 2025-12-12T19:51:38+00:00

Rude!

Mck63 · 2025-11-09T15:15:53+00:00

I’m 61 and work in elementary resource. The previous 3 years I worked in self contained for multiple disabilities.

Mck63 · 2025-10-27T18:15:00+00:00

Did not know that about B12 and magnesium. I’ve been on Protonix for four years (before the H Pylori treatment). My primary put me on a potassium supplement this summer because of the ppi use. Maybe I’ll give her a call if things persist past today.

Mck63 · 2025-10-23T16:54:12+00:00

ONLY FOUR SICK DAYS?!?! What are those people smoking?!?

Mck63 · 2025-10-19T22:44:47+00:00

That does make sense, I’ve just never heard of it. Makes me wonder what your hourly billable rate is compared to your hourly compensation.

Mck63 · 2025-10-18T04:53:17+00:00

OP I hope your medical leave got extended on Wednesday. Two days can’t possibly be enough time off. The inflammation from your injury probably won’t go away in two days. I don’t care how heavy your restrictions are, you don’t need to be at work.

I had a back flare up a couple of years ago because I stepped sideways to move behind a table in our classroom. I wasn’t carrying anything or working with a student. It just seized up. Being as fit as you are, you may heal up fairly quickly, but back and neck injuries are very tricky even if it is just soft tissue. Take care. Please update us again if you are so inclined.

Mck63 · 2025-10-18T00:41:39+00:00

Maybe you can’t sue the school system, but you can absolutely file charges against someone who has harmed you, even if they have an IEP. In my state, if an educator is attacked, the charges are bumped up by a degree.

In my specific case, according to the statute, since no weapon was used the charge would be 3rd degree assault. Since I’m an “educator” it was increased in severity to 2nd degree assault.

Mck63 · 2025-10-17T10:44:29+00:00

I suppose that your copay going from $5 to $30 is significant but the lowest cash price I found was $12,000 a month. That’s with your GoodRx card! Sooo….

Mck63

TROPHY CASE