Not too late…

So, I went to the schools… and in one of the schools, I met an active 88 year-old Special Education Teacher. 88 years old!!!!!! A lot of things ran through my mind. Ok, she’s 88. She still teaches… BUT – What about technology? What about making IEPs (Individualized Education Plan)??? Uh oh. So I hugged her. I [...]

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Believing is Seeing.

To God be the Glory and Praise! The day I was given notice of non-renewal as Sped Teacher in HS, 4 months ago, I wrote this and held on to it! ” I believe that something GREAT will happen in my life soon!” I just believed it will happen, I don’t know what is or [...]

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Amazing!

I am simply amazed by what FAITH we have. I am simply at awe because despite the challenges, despite the “can’t” and “will not”, we hold on. It is simply wondrous how God put us all together… …how He has chosen and picked each one of us.. TOGETHER in this journey. I couldn’t allow tears [...]

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… There is Hope!

I am now teaching Regular Education Students…. mmm regular means resisting, loud, hard-to-handle Middle School Students!! I am supposed to teach just Math this summer, but upon knowing that I am a Special Education Teacher they decided that I can do both, Math and English LEAP Remediation for Grade 8 students… mmm, what it means is [...]

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Miracle – indeed!

I am continuously challenged by Math even in elementary days .. when Ms. Datinggaling would force us to memorize the multiplication table hehe (she would “drill” us and made us stand if we couldn’t tell the correct answer to her flash cards!),then high school math to college math. (Nope, I did not major in Math.. I remember [...]

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I am

I am Ms. Maria (this is what my students call me) I am the “Chinese lady” and the Special Education Teacher I wonder what my students will become someday  I hear them proud to say they are “gangstah” and a “killa” I see a change of hearts someday though I want them to feel that everything is possible if they [...]

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My roller coaster ride..

16 months of being here and I know I haven’t settled in yet. I am still in the roller coaster “ride” since coming here in the US.  Reminiscing…I remember writing before about my “unfinished business” in educating students, that’s why I went back to teaching after 5 years in sales and marketing.. and just after a year of teaching in school - I’m [...]

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Be Careful..

Be careful what you wish for.. it might come true.. Last year, there were times when I would hear my self say.. I’d rather be the one in front teaching all these regular ed students.. especially when there were not as many activities and work to be done, as I’d hope for.. Wish granted! For [...]

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my karma

From “Why do you keep on staring at me! I’m going to call my mom and tell her you keep on staring at me!” To ” Hey Ms. Gemma, you’re looking for me right?.. Come help me read…” From “C’mon I’m trying not to curse ok? I can do this! I don’t need your help! [...]

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being with them

Good thing I am not placed to teach regular class here in New Orleans East.. the high school African-American students are sooooo different from our own Filipino high school students! The students in my case list are all included in regular classes (max 26 students). So the set-up is I go to classes where my students are.. [...]

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