Talk Autism by Debbie
Let's talk about Autism. The ups and downs for guiding an individual that is on the spectrum. Let's not forget about the parents and other children during out talks.
Talk Autism by Debbie
Turning Challenges into Lifelong Missions: A Special Education Journey from Michigan to Beyond
Ever wondered what it takes to turn personal challenges into a lifelong mission? Today, I share my journey from a small town in Michigan to a fulfilling career in special education across the country. From the struggles of job rejections and career uncertainty to the joy of making a difference in the lives of children with disabilities, especially those with autism, this episode captures the highs and lows of my path. You’ll hear about the critical moments that shaped my career, the motivation behind my dedication, and the lessons learned along the way.
Retirement isn’t the end of my story—it’s just a new chapter. I talk candidly about the emotional challenges of stepping away from a passion that has defined my life for decades. Even now, at 72, I find ways to stay connected to the educational community through part-time tutoring. This episode is filled with reflections on the importance of perseverance, the impact of special education, and the powerful connections that continue to inspire me. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that encourages you to embrace your unique journey and find fulfillment in every stage of life.
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Hi everyone. Today I'm going to do something a little different. I'm just going to talk a little bit about me and then kind of give you a little bit of a goal for yourself. I talk about myself just every once in a while. For people that may not know me, I grew up in Michigan in a small, small little town, and at 35 I moved to California and during that time I went to school and at first I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I just went in and got my certificate for sign language and then I became an interpreter for the deaf and I worked in a public school.
Speaker 0:Then later I went back and got my bachelor's in education and to my master's in mild to moderate special education and then got a second master's in deaf and hard of hearing and I worked a few years with the deaf and hard of hearing both in California and in Florida. But I also worked with other kids too. I did special day classes where they have all kinds of disabilities, and I really, through my years of experience working with the different kids in different types of environment, I learned a lot about autism and I also learned about the kids themselves and how great they are and how much fun it can be working with them and opening up doors for them, because they really are very smart kids. They just have to learn a different way and it may take a little bit longer. When I was in college and I wasn't sure what I was going to do at first and I got my bachelor's in education and then I started going out for interviews and the doors were keep slamming in my face. Nothing was opening up. So I thought, you know, I prayed about it and I said you know, lord, I know this is the direction you want to go, but why are the doors keep slamming in my face? And I'm not a good interviewer. I get too nervous and I put my foot in my mouth and it's just not a pleasant thing for me. I don't know why, but it just. But just isn't. It doesn't bother me much anymore. But when I was first going out, I was really nervous. But anyway, the doors were kept slamming and people kept saying well, with your background, you know you should go into special education. And I kept saying no, no, no. Well, like I said, I prayed about it and I said okay, lord, if this is what you want me to do, then you're going to have to open the door. I'll put the paperwork in and do all that kind of stuff, but you're going to have to open the door. I'll put the paperwork in and do all that kind of stuff, but you're going to have to open the door. And that's when I went back to school and got my master's and the doors were swinging open for me. So I had I never had a problem getting a job, and so that's how I got into special education and I never regretted it. I'm glad that I did.
Speaker 0:I've helped a lot of families and a lot of kids and through my years. And then, you know, retirement came up and I wasn't happy with being retired, so I kept going back and then I'd retire again, and then I'd go back again, and then I'd retire again, and I did that three times and then this last time was my final time. Matter of fact, I'm taking some of my stuff and helping a couple teachers and giving them stuff that I've accumulated through the years to help them with their classrooms. And I know that it's time, but it was really, really difficult for me to face that and not be able to be in a classroom the first summer of going back. I was totally depressed. I just it was really hard on me thinking that I'm not going back to work. Some people can't wait and never look back, but I just wasn't one of them. But I'm getting used to it now and so I do tutor and I still tutor, but I'm not going to do after school anymore because I have other family issues that I need to tend to. So but I am tutoring during the day and I still have like three students that I'll keep on, keep tutoring part time.
Speaker 0:I'm 72. And so you know it's time to enjoy my life a little bit and my family. But I still want to be able to have that connection. So I have one boy that I do every day for three hours. He's homeschool and he's come a long way. Matter of fact, this last week he read for the first time on his own and his teacher said he would never be able to do that. And he did do it. So that was a good thing. His mom just told me that he exceeded all his IEP goals. So anyway, that's a little bit about me.
Speaker 0:I'm from the United States if you're from overseas listening to this and I've never been anywhere. I've been to Mexico and but I've never been out of out of North America, been to Canada and stuff all beautiful areas. So now I want to talk a little bit about you. You know we're winding down to summer and some schools have started in some places and some schools will start next month or the month after. But we're coming down the end of summer and getting ready for school to start again. So what I want you to do is, in the next few weeks, try to put away a little bit of money. You know whatever you can afford I know money's tight for all of us right now with groceries. You know whatever you can afford I know money's tight for all of us right now with groceries but try to do something, um, where you can put a little bit of money away for yourself and then plan, even if it's just a day or 24 hours or whatever, and do something for yourself. I know you've been probably very busy with the kids home from school and you know vacations and barbecues and picnics and birthdays and weddings and on and on and on. You're ready for fall to come or school to start back up next month and get back into more of a routine and then that summer can be very busy for us routine, and then that summer can be very busy for us. So, but plan a day for yourself that you go get your hair done or go get your nails done or have lunch with a friend, or just have lunch by yourself, or go to the library and sit and read a, read a book, or do something like that. If you don't have a lot of money, you can, you know, go buy a cup of coffee, go read a book and just relax and not think about family, home, work or anything, just you, and relax and breathe and give yourself that little bit of time. I know that your soul and spirit and your body will appreciate it, that your soul and spirit and your body will appreciate it. So, anyway, that's all I have for today. It was just a little bit about me and a little bit about you, and I really, really hope you take my advice and spend a little time on you. You deserve it. Have a great day and I will talk to you real soon. Bye-bye.
