New Job

Today was my second day at my first real job. It's proving to be challenging to advocate for myself and my position. Dunlap's special education services are provided by SEAPCO (special education association of Peoria county). Because of this, people at the middle and high schools have no idea who I am. Another problem is that I'm hired by a contract company that contracts me to SEAPCO, so I'm not actually a part of SEAPCO either. So far in my orientation meetings, I've heard about two different unions, both of which I'm not a member. This is okay, but it's just one example of how I don't really fit in.

On the positive side, I have tons of autonomy in my job. I get to move between the middle and high schools on a schedule that I create, and I get to provide services that I determine to be the most appropriate for my students. Any extra time will be spent working with the cirriculum teachers to faciliate classroom communication and on community outings. I think it's going to be great.

Today I learned a lot, but there are still many things to figure out.

1. Getting keys for the two classrooms. Could be impossible at the high school. They're very unwilling.

2. Finding all IEP goals. They're really disorganized in the files.

3. Getting parking stickers.

4. Getting a name badge.

5. Finding the teacher's workroom at the high school and getting a copy code.

6. Getting Dunlap and SEAPCO email addresses. Maybe I'll actually know when things are happening.

7. Geting my laptop. SEAPCO is still reformatting it.

8. Receiving a response or contact of any sort from my CF mentor. This is a big problem. She hasn't returned a phone call or email yet.

9. Proving I'm not as worthless as last year's SLP. The could take all year. There are some really negative SLP vibes where I'm working. I think most of the people I'm working with are looking forward to a change, though. I hope so.

Tomorrow's the first day with students. Should be fun.