I'm serious

So here is the deal...
I take my job seriously.  And I should.

I am not a doctor, or a nurse, or the president, or an investment banker... but I have a lot of responsibility.

I always knew that my job was important, but I never realized how much power I held until... well today, I guess.

Today I qualified a child for special education services. She will receive modified instruction in the public school system and most likely continue receiving modified instruction for the rest of her school career... because of this she will only be eligible for junior college and an associate's degree. That's important.
And yes-- it was an "ARD committee" decision... but I played a huge part in that decision.  The other members listen to what I say. Parents place their children's education in my hands.

I also dismissed a child from services today.  He "graduated" from speech services.  His parents were thankful (even though I got him when the hard work was done).  When he was first placed in special education at the age of 3 he was completely unintelligible.

Tomorrow I will tell a parent that their child can no longer remain in the general education classroom.  She needs a more restrictive environment. She is not making progress in the general education curriculum and needs to work on "prerequisite" skills. It will be a tough one but it's necessary.

I will also fight for some kids who are falling through the cracks tomorrow.  One of them several people above me feel should be moved to a more restrictive environment... but I'm not so sure. Because of this I will fight to make sure that every thing is tried before we get to that point.

I also did therapy today. I watched a kiddo's eyes light up when he understood a story.  I watched a kiddo that normally hates coming to therapy run to his chair and quickly open the book to the page we left off on last time.  He even volunteered to read... he can barely read.

Sometimes I forget how important what I do is.  I feel like the "new girl".  And people think I'm just a "teacher" - not that teacher's aren't great... I'm just not just a teacher. I have to be careful... because I hold kiddos' futures in my hand.

That's pretty awesome.  And I take it very seriously.