Life of a Support Facilitator

  Week 19 — Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! This season once again reminded me to pause and appreciate what we have—and most importantly, to celebrate the  Good News  that entered our world long ago. With schools closed, this week became a space for rest, reflection, and gratitude. As the years go by, I’m learning to be confident in who I am and to trust the story God has written for my life. My journey doesn’t look like everyone else’s, but God planned every chapter long before I took my first breath. The good, the bad, and everything in between—He saw it all and still chose me as His own. This week also brought a personal lesson regarding my dad and his recent health updates. When God answers prayers, the blessing doesn’t stop with one person—it lifts the hearts of everyone who has been praying alongside you. We are called to encourage one another and build each other up in the faith. So many families are walking through situations that never make it onto Facebook or ...

  Monday I was still recovering from being under the weather over the weekend. I spent the day fielding emails and later had a visit from a dear friend, which brought a sense of comfort and calm. Tuesday I began the day with an in-house meeting to ensure our team was aligned for an upcoming IEP meeting. Immediately afterward, I tested a couple of students on their unit assessments. I then worked additional students into my schedule and completed remaining assessments needed for upcoming IEP drafts. Throughout the day, I also assisted the head of a committee by fielding emails and gathering information from administration regarding protocols. After finishing multiple emails, I headed home feeling productive but tired. Wednesday Wednesday was  a day . I spent the first part of the morning testing two students on their state math assessments. I then received an email I had been anticipating—unrelated to my current job—and it was more than I could bear. Shortly after, I attended a...

Monday felt busy from the start. I had my typical duties, along with completing IEP assessments for several students with upcoming meetings. The day was steady but hectic, and I could feel anxiety creeping in. I pushed through, and before leaving for the day, I checked emails and volunteered to make copies for a committee. That moment led to an important realization: if I volunteer for something, I need to back up my willingness with knowledge and follow-through. Everyone is busy, and we are all doing the best we can. As a leader, I need to demonstrate confidence and preparedness. After work, I picked up my girls and took them to the newly opened Raising Cane’s near UCF. They were training employees and offering free meals to local staff, which made it a fun and unexpected treat. Later that evening, I headed home and finished writing an IEP for a student. Tuesday brought another realization. In a general education setting, there are additional layers when determining goals, especially ...

Week 16 — A Week of Return, Responsibility, and Reflection Back to school started bright and early Monday morning. Many teachers eased into the day so students could transition smoothly after having a week off. Middle school was already deep into FAST testing, and 3–5 would begin the next day. A few of my students were still absent because their family plans ran long, but I loved being back with my kids and supporting the teachers however I could. Before leaving for the day, I put up my Christmas tree and prepared everything for testing on Tuesday. Tuesday moved quickly and smoothly. I had six students scheduled to test, though one was absent. I spent the morning ensuring accommodations were implemented correctly and, more importantly, that each student had an environment where they felt comfortable and able to be themselves. After my first group, I ate lunch and then pulled another round of students who needed additional time. I genuinely enjoy being needed—and stepping in wherever I ...

  Week 15 – Turning the Page Happy Post-Thanksgiving and Pre-Christmas! While I had the week off to reflect, I learned a few things—and I thought I would share. This Thanksgiving was anything but normal. I broke a fever the night before, and both of my girls were so upset because we had planned to drive to Sarasota to visit my brother. In the end, though, it worked out for the best. My dad is still recovering from a UTI, and being close to home was exactly what we all needed. I spent the day watching the parade and sleeping while the girls spent time with their dad. Since my oldest had Friday off, we braved the mall together on the busiest shopping day of the year! Sometimes it can feel like life hands us a rough stack of cards. There’s no way to avoid it—you just have to walk through it. I’m grateful for my family, coworkers, and friends who make this life a little brighter simply because they’re in it. The days when I’ve been fully present and the days when I haven’t—every part o...

  Week 14 – A Heart Full, Even in the Hard I walked into Monday carrying a little heaviness, still processing the “what-ifs” after my dad’s hospital stay for a UTI. I distracted myself the only way I know how—by sticking tightly to my schedule. Many students were out sick, but in the afternoon I had my informal observation with my assistant principal. I chose to work on central idea using a Wonders leveled reader. I was so nervous that I completely forgot one of the main worksheets I had created to connect the central idea of informational text to supporting details. Preparing for an observation always comes with a lot of moving pieces, especially when you’re teaching in someone else’s classroom and can’t predict the environment. One of the students decided to goof off for most of the time, and when I explained explicit vs. implicit details, he asked, “You mean like cuss words and stuff?”—referring to explicit content. It made me laugh, and overall, the lesson went very well. ...