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Week 3




Week 3: Streamlining, Learning, and Leading with Gratitude

Life of a Support Facilitator

This was a short week, but it was packed with learning and small victories. Monday was Labor Day, so we had no school. I spent the day taking my 17-year-old daughter, Abby, and her two friends to the Florida Mall — an adventure all on its own! They’d had a sleepover the night before, and I couldn’t help but marvel that my little girl is already seventeen. Seventeen years of learning all the ins and outs of autism — and I’m still learning every single day.

Streamlining My Work

Tuesday felt like our Monday, and I hit the ground running. One of the biggest lessons I’m learning as a Support Facilitator is how to streamline my work. If two students are working on similar skills, I’ve found it’s best to bring them together with whiteboards and tackle the task collaboratively.

That day, I helped a student complete his writing assignment on the impact of earthquakes. We used sentence starters to support his thinking, and it was amazing to see how this small scaffold helped him grow in confidence and independence.

Later, I joined a 3rd grade math class to support rounding strategies during whole-group instruction and provided targeted help during intervention time. I’m noticing a pattern of students missing school more frequently, which affects not only their academic progress but also their access to services. It’s something I want to help address this year through consistent communication and support.

Midweek Lessons

Wednesday was tough — I had a persistent headache that made it hard to focus, but I pushed through. I worked with three third graders on rounding to the nearest hundred during math intervention and attended a few meetings afterward.

A bright spot in the day was learning to create electronic student schedules — something I’ve wanted to streamline for a while. I also spent time learning more about Lexile levels and how they relate to comprehension difficulty rather than fluency. It’s a subtle but important distinction, especially when interpreting reading data.

In true educator fashion, I also faced a few frustrations — like realizing there was another level of the phonics survey I needed to administer. But every challenge is a learning opportunity, and I’m determined to keep growing.

I ended the day by completing math assessments for three students and taking detailed notes for upcoming interventions.

Rest and Renewal

By Thursday, my body had other plans. I came down with a low-grade fever and spent the entire day resting. I hate missing school — not because I’m a workaholic, but because I don’t want my students to miss their services. Still, I listened to my body, and by Friday, I felt completely renewed.

Friday was my duty day, and thankfully, I woke up feeling great — truly a blessing. The headache was gone, and the crisp morning air felt like a fresh start.

Reaching More Students

Friday was productive and full of meaningful interactions. I did group testing with three 5th graders and continued assessments for upcoming intervention groups. I love collaborating with teachers — especially when I can use my background knowledge to help them feel supported and confident.

I also pulled two 4th graders for a reading intervention lesson and sent them back to class once they’d met their goal for the day.

That’s the beauty of being a Support Facilitator — I’m here to meet the needs of teachers and students alike. Sometimes, a teacher’s plan might look different from mine, but we share a common goal: to bridge gaps and ensure all students are learning, including those who may not yet have services.

I also updated support facilitation logs, accommodation logs, and adjusted dates to prepare for the upcoming week. Paperwork is a big part of the job — and while it’s not glamorous, it’s crucial to keeping everything aligned and documented.

Finding Joy in the Journey

Despite the busy days and occasional setbacks, I still feel like the luckiest person alive. I get to work with incredible students and teachers every day, learn new strategies, and make a difference in ways big and small.

Every week reminds me that growth doesn’t happen in perfection — it happens in persistence. And for that, I’m grateful.

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