Burgers at Bob's/ Emily's job

I'm very fortunate. Let me say that again.  I am VERY fortunate.  I work at a great school, with great people, who love and respect me.  I look forward every day to seeing my students, fellow teachers, and my desk.  Its one of two things in life that have ever worked out perfectly for me.  (Ruben is the other thing)

This year I'm once again teaching the ERC class (Educational Resource Center) at Judson Middle School.  My students are all middle school aged, but academically way behind their non disabled peers. (as in 2nd-4th grade level academically)  Some have autism, some have genetic disorders, some have cerebral palsy, some have hearing or vision disabilities, and some have an intellectual disability.

 As their teacher I'm in charge of curriculum design that is specifically created to meet their diverse needs.  Every student has an individualized education plan, and I have to write achievable meaningful goals for them. I teach 4-5 different subjects every day, some to the entire group at once, but often in small groups.  The only way having a successful classroom like this is by the grace of God, and Bob and Stacey.  Bob Finicle and Stacey Schaub are the educational assistants in the classroom.  They are incredible people.  We plan together, laugh at our mistakes, each others mistakes, and sometimes even get teary together.  As a team we are able to accomplish great things with a hard group of kids, with diverse needs, under difficult circumstances.

So at the end of the school year when the prospect of a long summer and long absence from each other we chose a date and marked our calendars, to get together for a back to school barbecue at Bob's farm.  Stacey promised a reeses peanut butter cake, Bob promised delicious burgers, and I promised something side dish like.

So just as we planned back in June, on August 20 we met at Bob's to have delicious burgers.  I brought grilled stuffed jalepenos, roasted cajun potato salad, and a tossed lettuce salad with spicy orange dressing. Stacey indeed brought a reeses peanut butter cup cake. We had a lovely evening catching up on summer events, sitting by the outdoor fire and enjoying a lovely summer evening.

The frog tank, with a tiny frog on the grass.

Ruben climbing yet another tree.

evening sunlight

Reeses cake (thankfully he didn't fall into it)

Fred pretending to eat the Reeses cake.  Fortunately he didn't sneeze or drool. (I hope)

Ruben with Finn Finicle, one of the nicest dogs I've ever met.