The Winds of Change, They are A'blowing

It seems that when things begin to change, it all comes at once. Which is not necessarily a bad thing. Though I am having a few minor issues with adjusting to everything new that's happening, things are working for the better.

I've been training during the last week or so for a new job. I will be working as a one-on-one tutor with a 14 year-old child with autism. This will be the first teacher-student experience I've had, other than homeschooling. Since I'm just now beginning my professional coursework for my teaching degree, I haven't had a lot of instruction in specific disabilities such as autism, and I haven't had a lot of training regarding how to actually "teach" either. However, I have such excitement in my heart for the challenges and learning opportunities to come!

I spent about 3 hours with the client today in the therapy room that his parents have set up. These two people have literally put their life into ensuring that their son has the best care possible. I am quite impressed with them and so happy to be working with their family. He (the client) and I are getting along quite well, and he is really just the sweetest kid... I believe that I will be quite happy here and I am so very thankful for this job and the circumstances which brought it about.

In other news, my own 14 year-old son started high school a couple of weeks ago. My 18 year-old daughter is finishing up her clinical experiences before taking her state board exam to become a CNA. I am so proud of them.

I am hoping to buy another car in late November so that both Beej and I will be able to work and go to school. We are sharing one right now and the logistics can be tricky!

The other big change that may be happening is a move during Jun's Christmas break from school. My new job, as well as most of my classes, are located in the Asheville area. That just happens to be a one and a half hour drive for me on normal days. Right now, however, the NCDOT is taking on a major road widening project through Madison and Yancey counties. So that drive can take 2 hours or more with all the traffic backups and stops. For that reason, among others, I am considering a move to Madison or Buncombe county.

In school news, I have two major projects to do over the next 6 weeks. These involve a lot of observation, participation, and one-on-one experience in a special education classroom. Other elements of the projects are lots of assessments, lesson plans, thematic units, etc. Needless to say, I am in for a busy fall/winter! I am very thankful for this busyness however!