Z is for Zeitgeist, Zeal & Zips

Well this is it - the final post in the A to Z Challenge for 2015 - this year held in memory of Tina Downey of Life is Good blog!  

I hope everyone has had as much fun as I have in participating in it:)

Part of my Challenge theme this year has been blogging about resources and activities that may be of help in special needs education but today I deviate slightly to look at the bigger picture that surrounds special needs education.

Zeitgeist - this is a particular favourite word to me - it simply means the defining spirit of an age.  Last year during the Challenge, I blogged about Y is for Yesteryear and looked at the way in which special needs education and society's views had changed through the centuries and wondered what the future held particularly with the new U.K.government proposals coming in.   A year on, I am even more concerned with what the Zeitgeist of this decade will show for children who need that extra help and support.  Many authorities appear to be putting the responsibility for it all working on the schools without giving any extra support themselves.  Facts and figures are tweaked to show success when the reality is that the children are not learning or being supported to learn.  Many of these children and their parents do not have sufficient knowledge or ability to challenge the system and do not realise what is actually going on.  I wonder how much they can actually be enjoying their education and also what the outcome will be for these children once they move out of it and into the real world?   

Zeal - the majority of teachers and assistants working in the special needs field are extremely dedicated and hard-working.  They strive to provide the best education for their students and give 100% to this goal. However, this takes its toll when they are also having to battle with those higher up who have other perceptions and demands.  

I have always been very proud of the fact that anyone who comes into contact with me has seen me as a teacher with a great zeal and passion for her students and education.  So it is with a very heavy heart, that I have come to the conclusion that I cannot continue in my present role as it is beginning to be more noticeable to me that it is taking a greater toll than is healthy for me.  I feel I have tried my best and I have loved every minute of working as a teacher to those wonderful students who have crossed my door but I cannot continue to work within a system I am now so at odds with and I have fought too many battles over.  One or two of you out there may have noticed this and I am so thankful for the support you have shown through blog comments - they have made a world of difference :)  I have handed in my notice and will now be able to concentrate on a new part of my life without all of this conflict. I know I am very lucky to be able to do this and not have to worry about where my next pay cheque will be coming from.  I need a break and then I will decide what I want to do.  Other opportunities await me and I feel quite excited and with a new zeal for life about to begin.  I am also so pleased not to have to be zipping about the country between two homes anymore.

I feel in my heart that I will always be an educator of children whether with special needs or not, whether in a school environment or not, so I am not going to change my blogging profile from one of teacher just yet.  I also hope that I can continue to contribute to others still working in this field - I certainly know I will be making more resources available on TpT that I have used in my teaching life and blogging about them.  If I can do anything for any special needs teachers, I will always try :)

but now onto the other part of my blog - and for my final "craft" post for the challenge I have chosen:

Zips - many people seem to struggle with zips and putting them in but I have to say I have always used a zipper foot on my sewing machine and found it quite easy.  Now days there are great youtube videos available or blog posts with lots of step by step pictures that will take you through the process. So if you have been struggling with finding other fastenings rather than by zipping it, why don't you give it a try next time - it's just not that hard!!

Click on the photo above to go to this very thorough blog post :)

My freebie for Z is this Zip length activity

Simply download and ask the children to cut out the zips and stick in the correct order of length!

And that my friends completes this final blog post in the 2015 Challenge - now for some rest I think Zzzzzzz :)