Wednesday 29 April 2015

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 :)

30 comments:

  1. Inspiring, detailed post. :-)

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  2. Most interesting post, though like you have found you on your last letter.
    Congratulations on the completion of the challenge.
    It was wonderful to read the "Z" words you chose, most inspring.
    Yvonne.

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  3. That's the beautiful thing about teachers--the passion. I was a state employee for 19 years and the pay sucked...I saw what happened when people were underpaid and underappreciated. They turn into zombies. Teachers don't have that because they aren't in it for the money. They deserve to be paid much more but they get rewarded in other ways.

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    1. Working with children is an incredible privilege - it is the paperwork and the other adults that can be the problem!!!

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  4. Zeitgeist, one of my favorite words!

    Congratulations on completing the A to Z blogging challenge!
    Don’t forget about the A to Z Reflections post coming up in May.

    --
    Tim Brannan, The Other Side Blog
    2015 A to Z of Vampires
    http://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/

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    1. No, I won't forget, Tim - really looking forward to being able to give a shout out to all the super blogs I found :)

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  5. We are having the same issue in CA with the government not allotting money to help with special needs. My friend was just at our capital trying them to pass a bill to fund testing for those who cannot afford to have their children tested for dyslexia. It did not pass. But they passed the rest of the bill about teachers needing training but without the funding. I wish you the best of luck.

    Congratulations on completing the challenge! It was great to find your post. One I would not have found without the challenge.

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    1. Thank you, Kat :) I know many of you understand the impossible position some of us are finding ourselves in. I think I've just reached the point that I will not cross the line to do things I do not believe are right.

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  6. So sad that teachers are not given the support they need. I’m sure you have had a positive influence on your students and that is a great reward. Good luck in your future endeavor!
    Congratulations on making it to the A-Z finish line!

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    1. Thank you, Lynda - I have had the best life ever with my students :)

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  7. Your zeal shines through. Congrats on A to Z and thanks for joining me on my blog. New friends made. ZZZZZZZZZZZ

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    1. It's been great finding your blog, Joanne and I want to keep in touch :)

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  8. Good luck on this new phase in your life! Congrats to making it from A to Z, especially because you did triple posts!

    Yvonne

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    1. Using your productivity tips really helped me achieve this goal so another big thanks to you too :)

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  9. Thanks for visiting my blog :) I do agree with you about the zeal a special needs teacher has; my mother in law was one for years and she had a passion for her students. Whatever you decide to do next, I'm sure whatever you do will be appreciated by those that are touched by your zeal :)

    Congrats on making it through the challenge!!

    betty

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    1. I know how busy you've been throughout this challenge, Betty so I really appreciate you stopping by on my last post - many thanks :)

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  10. Congratulations on the stepping over the finish line!

    I love your choice of words today and empathise with your choice to leave, totally understand where you are coming from, I also work in a sector where the cuts are brutal and have become one of those people who end up shouting at the TV when our current barely elected government spout some rubbish about how it's all better but I'm not going to elaborate as this is a celebration and I've not brought my steps to get off my soapbox so I may get stuck (I'm short and it's very tall).

    Good luck in all your new (and old) endeavours!
    Mars xx
    Curling Stones for Lego People

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  11. Thank you so much, Mars. I feel I have found a kindred spirit so will be keeping in touch :)

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  12. Thanking you for visiting and commenting on my blog recently. Congratulations on finishing the challenge. Congratulations on being brave enough to make a change in your personal career. I wish you all the luck in the world for whatever you decide to do.

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    1. Congratulations right back at you and thank you for such a nice message :)

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  14. Those are a lot of great "Z" ideas! Congrats for completing the A-Z!!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and requesting to join Celebrate the Small Things hop. I've added you, and the link to your site is visible on my blog. It may take a while to update onto other blogs. Welcome to the hop! :)

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    1. Woe Lexa - that was super fast - many thanks :)

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  15. Congrats on finishing the A to Z and for all the visits you've made to my blog! I'm sure it was a difficult decision to leave your current position, but life has a way of keeping us on our toes...and once a teacher, you're always a teacher at heart. Being in a classroom isn't the only way. Best of luck to you Pempi!
    Katie @TheCyborgMom

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    1. Thanks Katie. It's been great but now there are new things to try and do :) So pleased I found your blog - I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy what you post about after the Challenge!

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  16. I love this post. I always get a sense of your zeal for the children you work with through your posts. You obviously care a great deal about them and work very hard to help them find the best way to learn. :-)

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    1. Thanks, Click - it's nice to know others "get me" and I am so grateful for your supportive comments over this past year :)

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