"THEDADREGIME"

We're all making this up as we go along

Kids and liars

Kids and liars

Sending communication home about a student’s behaviour is not a favourite activity of any teacher. Where I work, if you’re hearing from me about behaviour it’s usually fairly low level, classroom issues (Admin take care of the more serious incidents). And the purpose of my emails or phone calls is usually … I thought you should know. Responses to these messages generally fall into four categories: The Acknowledger: Thanks for letting us know … The Defender: Well, we’ve never

Retro Blog: Autism has a place in the classroom

Retro Blog: Autism has a place in the classroom

This article made me angry. It asks a simple question, ‘Does autism have a place in the mainstream classroom?’ It made me angry because the answer is obvious - yes. It made me angry for paying lip service to how complicated that ‘yes’ is, and it made me angry because it glossed over the most important factor relating to the question. Through no fault of their own many Autistic children are placed into classrooms entirely incapable of meeting their needs. Through no fault of t

The Start

The Start

I’ve started a lot of things - even finished a couple. I think for a lot of us adulthood is starting things we know we can finish. Finishing is a good thing, especially in our careers and professions. But, often we avoid starting things that make us a little uncomfortable, the things that pull us out of our comfort zones, or have some perceived risk attached. And so, starting and finishing becomes a cycle based on the familiar. I tell my students that the things that makes u

Learned me some things

Canaries On The Spectrum

Canaries On The Spectrum

This article made me angry. It asks a simple question, ‘Does autism have a place in the mainstream classroom?’ It made me angry because the answer is obvious - yes. It made me angry for paying lip service to how complicated that ‘yes’ is, and it made me angry because it glossed over the most important factor relating to the question. Through no fault of their own many Autistic children are placed into classrooms entirely incapable of meeting their needs. Through no fault of t

Do it! NO WAIT!

Do it! NO WAIT!

When a former student asked me for advice about leaving high school before she graduates and entering the workforce at the end of Year 11 my instinct was to tell her: “Do it. JUMP! Your high school education is overrated and has little bearing of on your future success. Your work ethic and your passion is what will drive you.” She had a plan, both for short term employment and future education. She has a Certificate III in Retail, thanks to her high school. She has the backin