CIP. FBA. IEP. BIP. The list could go on.
Today I spent my day surrounded by these acronyms. Tons of them. Luckily, I've been studying these for the past four years, so I wasn't entirely thrown into shock. Still though -- learning concepts in school is proving to be vastly different from applying them to a 'real world' setting. Using these three letter combinations became exhausting as I attempted to translate sounds and letters into complicated ideas, processes, and plans in a matter of seconds before I fell quickly behind in the conversation around me.
Today was my second day of training at Elim Christian Schools. I spent six and a half hours with fourteen (or so) other cool people learning about restraints and Functional Behavioral Assessments. Despite the lecture-type setting, our instructor found ways to get us out of our seats and participating in role plays (my favorite, insert sarcasm please), demonstrations, and other hands-on experiences. Despite my internal complaints, I actually learned a lot and had a bit of fun in the process.
Two years ago, I would've rather visit the dentist than be forced to partake in role plays with a dozen strangers; but, I've grown a lot lately so I sucked up my poor attitude and put a smile on (a fake one, obviously, but you get the idea).
Turns out, you get to know people pretty quickly when you feel anxious and embarrassed around them. So, hey, we all became good friends. But really. You bond pretty quickly when you're yelling at someone about putting on a coat or writing your name on a piece of paper. The exercises taught us how to verbally work through a student's feelings of anxiety (be supportive), defensive behaviors (be directive), acting-out (use the nonviolent physical crisis intervention), and tension reduction phase (utilize therapeutic rapport). While the concepts sound weighty, we reviewed them so much that the ideas are probably plastered in my head for a while now. A good thing, I guess.
Anyway, despite the uncomfortable role plays, I'd say it was a successful full day of training. I'm thankful to be learning so much from people who really know their stuff. And I'm looking forward to spending some time in my classroom tomorrow (instead of doing role plays).
Maar serieus.
I loved the comment on the initials. Imagine how a parent feels when he or she sits down to a meeting and these initials are thrown out about their child. Remain sensitive on how these phrases can have a profound affect on the parents we are dealing with. They may be going through stages of grief as they realize their wonderful child has problems.
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