Reflection+3

= 1. Significant events for me this week were… = = The most significant event of last week was the addition of a new student to my class. Ethan is the most difficult student I have encountered so far and his Mom is the most intense parent I have dealt with yet. Ethan's Mom told me that he is unaccustomed to rules or structure/routine and therefore is unhappy when I limit his freedom in the classroom. Ethan's unhappiness manifests itself in constant screaming, as well as hitting, biting, scratching and kicking. I receive lengthy emails from Mom every day explaining his quirks and ways that she deals with tantrums at home. = = = = 2. As a result of these events, I have learned… = = As a result of this event (the event known as Ethan) every day last week was HARD. But I also realized something amazing - last week was hard, but not bad. In fact, I can honestly say that I didn't feel bad at the end of any day last week. I was always exhausted and always sick of being kicked and scratched, but my other students made encouraging progress and my assistant was a great support. It was a hard week, but not a bad week. I don't think that those two terms had been seperated in my mind until this point. = = = = 3. I realize that I need to know more about... =

**Differing parenting-styles. It became clear to me nearing the end of last week that it isn't just that Ethan is a tough kid because he has Autism, but also because he has been parented in a much different style than what is at work in my classroom. After many emails and conversations with Ethan's Mom I began to realize that Ethan doesn't have any rules or structure in place at home. Mom told me that Ethan is allowed to choose his own rules, and the only structure/routine that exists is that which occurs naturally in the day (meals, bathtime, bedtime, etc.) The rest of the time Mom told me that Ethan is free to choose where he goes and what he does. Having had Ethan in class for a week, I'm beginning to realize that it's not just the Autism that is making it difficult to adjust to a new classroom, it's that my teaching-style is very different from his mother's parenting-style. He is not allowed to choose his own rules in my class, and this makes life difficult for a 3 year-old who gets to call the shots at home.** = = = . = = = =‍ ‍‍4. This week I am most proud of the way I… = =Didn't lose my mind!!! :-) Even in spite of 5 hard days in a row I didn't feel like I deteriorated into an angry, negative teacher! :-) Also, I felt that I was respectful in the many conversations I had with Ethan's Mom, but I was also honest about his aggressive behavior and the difficulties that it is causing. =