How do you see conflict?

Some people see conflict as frustrating and overwhelming. Some people try to avoid or ignore conflict. I tend to see conflict as a challenge that I am determined to resolve. My goal to to understand someone’s point of view, problem solve and come to a solution that works for everyone. Often in special education parents may disagree with a Team’s decision on services. As a Team Chairperson I actually welcome this conversation because it tells me a few things. It tells me that the parent is actually reading over the IEP and that the parent is working towards building trust with their Team. Building trust is huge for parents and special ed. Teams. We have to earn the trust by abiding to the IEP and helping each child make progress. No matter how a parent communicates their point of view or opinion I continue to encourage it because it opens the door for a healthy conversation. The fact is, we are all in education for the same reason..To help a child learn. If we focus on the child than we usually can come to a solution that all Team members can agree too. Once these solutions are developed and delivered we then have trust!

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Losing Special Education Services when its your child..

Losing Special Education Services

My son Caden has/had torticollis and wound up needing to wear a helmet for 3 months due to a flat spot on the back of his skull. This helmet was just for cosmetic issues but we felt it was necessary. Caden also needed physical therapy to help with the torticollis. He was not symmetrical in his gross motor skills. He entered physical therapy in June 2013 and continues therapy. Wearing the helmet set him back physically because of the weight of the helmet. Caden rolled over late, and struggled with weight baring on each side equally. He still isn’t crawling yet (10 months old), but he’s working on it!

It is important to note that I am a special education administrator (Team Chairperson). I run IEP's (Individual Education Programs) meetings and our Team determines if a student has a disability and whether or not the student qualifies for special education.  One would think that the hard conversations are surrounded by telling parents that there child has a disability. This is rarely the case. The more difficult conversation is telling the parents that there child no longer has a disability and as a result does not qualify for special education services.

You may ask WHY? Well special education is not what it used to be. IEPs are highly prevalent in classrooms and parents feel confident that their children are supported when they are on an IEP.  So when the Team tells a parent there child will no longer be in IEP many parents begin to get nervous that their child may not do as well in school. 

I bring up my job because at my son’s last PT session the Physical Therapist told me that she probably only needs to see him one more time. There was a part of me that freaked out a bit because although it is difficult getting him there late at night after a full day, I am always reassured that Caden is getting services and that an expert is watching over his development.  It was then that I finally could relate to the parents who worry when their child doesn't qualify for special education services.  My son will have another PT session in three weeks and may possibly be discharged. As I always tell my parents, “An IEP is not a prison sentence; the goal is to come off the IEP and be able to implement the learned strategies independently”.  I am an empathetic person and have always tried to put my feet in other people’s shoes. However, everything changes when you have a child. You really do understand where other people are coming from.

I know plenty of very successful people today who were on an IEP growing up as children. Anything is possible!

Mommy attacks bucket list training for marathon

February 23, 2014 I will begin to cross items off my bucketlist! I am registered for the Hyannis Full Marathon which is 26.2 miles around the town of Hyannis in Cape Cod, MA. I was registered one other time for this race, before marriage, two kids and a doctorate degree. I was having severe issues with my feet (that can be a blog all by itself) and wasn’t able to run for a long time. I am healthier than ever thanks to Nutritional Cleansing and am eager to conquer this challenging task. I began my training this week. I started it off with a very “Happy” race called the color run in Providence, RI. I ran this very colorful 5K race with family and friends. I’ve never seen people more happy to run a race before.    This was my friend Kevin’s first race ever so it was excellent to be part of this exciting event. Two days later I ran 6 mile around Falmouth, MA. I felt tired after a long day of getting kids off to daycare and running IEP meetings all day but I did it running about 9.5 minute miles. This use to be a good pace for me back in the day. However, since getting into shape and getting control of my nutrition this is now a slower pace for me. I’m not worried; I’m excited to improve and move forward. 17.5 weeks to go!

Mommy Runners get ready for October Marathons

There are many marathons and runs upon us and we have to stay in the best shape possible. Not all marathons need to be competitive. But if you are looking for some of the competitive ones check out this list here

Applefest Half Marathon & Relay
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Hollis, N.H.
Category: October

18th Annual Somerville Homeless Coalition Road Race
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Somerville, Ma.
Category: October

40th Annual Arthur Tudhope Memorial Road Race
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Shelburne, Vt.
Category: October

5th Annual Apple Harvest Day 5K Road Race
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Dover, N.H.
Category: October

5th Annual Canal Run for the Troops
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Bourne, Ma.
Category: October

7th Annual Hatfield Harvest Road Race
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Hatfield, Ma.
Category: October

9th Annual Reebok Canton Road Race
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Canton, Ma.
Category: October

Girls Inc. Personal Best 5K
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Concord, N.H.
Category: October

Kayla's Beat Goes On 5K
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Plymouth, Ma.
Category: October

Middlesex Community College Fitness Trail 5K Challenge
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Bedford, Ma.
Category: October

New Hampshire Marathon
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Bristol, N.H.
Category: October

Pam's Run
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Wayland, Ma.
Category: October

Sacred Heart School Dash to Heaven
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Taftville, Ct.
Category: October

Western Greenway Trail Run/Walk
Date: 10/5/2013
Summary: Waltham, Ma.
Category: October

20th Annual RRI Rise &Run Road Race
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Sturbridge, Ma.
Category: October

23rd Annual SIDS Race 4 Life
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Springfield, Ma.
Category: October

24th Annual Apple Harvest Run
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: West Newbury, Ma.
Category: October

37th Ridgefield Pamby Half Marathon
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Ridgefield, Ct.
Category: October

4th Annual Hastings Harvest 5K Run
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Lexington, Ma.
Category: October

6th Annual BWS 5K Race
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: New Bedford, Ma.
Category: October

6th Annual Smuttynose Rockfest Marathon & Half Marathon
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Hampton, N.H.
Category: October

6th Ronald McDonald House of Providence Women's Classic Amgen 5K
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Providence, R.I.
Category: October

Barbieri Fun Run
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Framingham, Ma.
Category: October

Bernie's Run
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Dedham, Ma.
Category: October

Carver Baseball Cranberry Run 5K
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Carver, Ma.
Category: October

Go Big Green 5K
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Dartmouth, Ma.
Category: October

Grete's Great Gallop
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: New York, N.Y.
Category: October

HYSB Hotchkiss Bearcat 5K Cross Country Race
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Lakeville, Ct.
Category: October

Leaf Peepers Half Marathon & 5K
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Waterbury, Vt.
Category: October

Maine Marathon, Relay & Half Marathon
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Portland, Me.
Category: October

Peaked Mountain Birthday Run
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Monson, Ma.
Category: October

Portland Marathon/Marathon Walk
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Portland, Or.
Category: October

Rome Boulevard Road Race
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Attleboro, Ma.
Category: October

Run Around Hopkinton Marathon
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Hopkinton, Ma.
Category: October

Run, Walk & Score Road Race
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Franklin, Ma
Category: October

Ryan's Run 5K/Walk
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Norwood, Ma
Category: October

The Charles River Center Road Race
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: Needham, Ma.
Category: October

Tommy Fund Famiy Day "Run for the Kids"
Date: 10/6/2013
Summary: New Haven, Ct.
Category: October

4H Fall Foliage 5K Benefit Race
Date: 10/12/2013
Summary: Middleboro, Ma.
Category: October

5th Annual Dempsey Challenge
Date: 10/12/2013
Summary: Lewiston, Me.
Category: October

9th Annual Gregory E. Reeves Memorial Scholarship Run
Date: 10/12/2013
Summary: Townsend, Ma.
Category: October

Baltimore Running Festival
Date: 10/12/2013
Summary: Baltimore, Md.
Category: October

Community Child Care 5K
Date: 10/12/2013
Summary: Portsmouth, N.H.
Category: October

Fall Foliage 5K Run/Walk for A Better Chance
Date: 10/12/2013
Summary: Amherst, Ma.
Category: October

Foliage Five Race
Date: 10/12/2013
Summary: Thetford, Vt.
Category: October

ING Hartford Marathon/Half/Relay/5K
Date: 10/12/2013
Summary: Hartford, Ct.
Category: October

Over the Esker 5K
Date: 10/12/2013
Summary: Weymouth, Ma.
Category: October

Sanford/Springvale YMCA 5K
Date: 10/12/2013
Summary: Sanford, Me.
Category: October

Smegs Legs Road Race
Date: 10/12/2013
Summary: Quincy, Ma.
Category: October

UNH Homecoming 5K Road Race
Date: 10/12/2013
Summary: Durham, N.H.
Category: October