Hi Linda,

Here they have collaborative teachers to team teach (or just help the ones who need it) in class when there are "special" kids in the classes. Not sure how many there has to be....not that far into the system, but many times they are ADHD, autistic, or even just apathetic so behind often just due to issues at home. I have subbed in those classes (and for Regular Ed) for about 4 years now and love it all cause I love kids, but do seem to be able to reach these kids. I had 2 months straight subbing for one teacher who worked with other teachers in Collab and resource (smaller classes with only the more needy kids) the last of the past school year and did get a dyslexic kid to finally try...and did help a few others in ways that were measurable. I think its my niche. I don't imagine, though, that it will always be easy if I commit to it full time. I tend to zoom in, though, on the kids who are branded. Tend to be able to see through how they act on the surface. But have also gotten kids who literally don't talk to communicate with me. Not sure what it is. Other than that, though, I don't have a particular passion for teaching to be honest. I would go into counseling if not this, but think you spend more time with the kids this way. The way things are going, too, there is a pretty strong need for special ed help so it seems there is job security with it. I have also worked in medical situations in homes for "retarded men and boys." (Before they phased out that word...due to the mean way its used sometimes). That is when I first learned I have a special love for special people. We had full grown adults literally infant level all the way up to men who just couldn't take full care of themselves who went out and worked menial type jobs in the day. They are so loving....most of the time : ) I was younger then, but sometimes literally had to chase one boy down. One man with mental retardation and schizophrenia hurt a nurse once - threw her into a wall. (I was gentle with him - not the bossy type but can get tough if I have to and do in classes). He was kind of funny. He use to say either "I want to be like satan, I do" and take on an evil personna and then other days "I want to be like Jesus, I do." We had several Down's kids. One had Cerebral Palsy and just couldn't talk or walk well and needed help with daily care. He was smart, though! He could beat anyone at checkers. I don't think other than for special ed., unless its a large class or with Kindergartners that they use 2 teachers as a rule. Does England have a public school system? We were supposed to go to the band for the S.H.A.P.E. headquarters in Belgium and heard the kids could go to really good schools there. Not sure how that would've worked, he got bumped and it changed to Atlanta, but I imagine your educational system is - perhaps better... We've pretty much decided that my husband is going to look into becoming certified as a music teacher, too, so he can retire from the military. I have mixed feelings...haven't committed quite yet. But I'm heading that way unless I can find a good job in a medical setting. I want something with retirement, though.

We have a short summer break - from the end of May to early August. In trade they've been giving more breaks through the year which is kind of nice. You seem to get some time off just when you need a break. We get Thanksgiving week breaks, Christmas, of course, then winter, then spring....kind of nice.

I should likely check into a site on adrenal/thyroid issues, but school starts tomorrow! I can't believe it. You don't normally start working really the first week cause teachers kind of need to be there...but it does happen so I could be working. I'm not really ready...

I feel strong about staying home with our babies, too. I had to work with my first but it was very part time till she was 18 months old and he babysat most of the time. I even managed to still breast feed that whole time. (Only went 14 months with my second but couldn't figure out how to get the first to stop...) I hated leaving her. John started teaching guitar and gigging after that so I could stay with them. I needed to work, really, but we managed. Now I really do need to, though. The economy is getting crazy.

Good luck with the pressures you're under. I have to pray to be able to focus anymore. And use a little chocolate... : )