The cute culprit.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
No elves were harmed in the destruction of these santa hats
The cute culprit.
Advocacy, it's the least I can try to do
It does not fail that almost every day I am awe struck by another student. Their strength, their untimely wisdom, their courage, will and survival in a variety of circumstances that I can only attempt to understand, but never fully have a sense of their experiences.
I had hoped when I started this blog in August, I believe it was, that I would regularly share stories and experiences of my job as a social worker in an urban school. But, I have been so enraptured in the experience that the little time I have for myself I've used for time with my husband and rest/rejuvenation. The stress and exhaustion that I have experienced this semester is unlike any other job I have had, though. In past jobs, my stress from my work as an outpatient therapist or other social work roles led to burn out, moodiness, extreme fatigue. The stress I have now only promotes my motivation and love of the students I work with and the job I get to do every day.
I am working with many young women who are pregnant, from various backgrounds and with various levels of stability. I have to assist many of these women to ensure they have their basic needs met, some do not have medical coverage to receive prenatal care. A few are at great housing risk, which is obviously very concerning that they and their soon to be born child may be without a warm and stable home. I hear countless stories of survival with abusive parents, mothers who are in relationships with abusive men or drug dealers. So many of my students have lost someone they love to a violent or untimely death.
Yet, most of them continue on, trying as best they can to have a normal and fun high school and adolescent experience. Most students are so determined to get their high school diploma, many the first in their family. All I can really do is listen, support and maybe try to advocate for what they need. I think this is the central core of doing my job well. I have to advocate that a young woman with multiple serious medical issues, now pregnant with a child with many medical issues of his own, should have the computer at home so she can continue with her education. I have to advocate with the teachers who don't know the full picture at home to not be so hard on the student who is a little disruptive that day, because he's just trying to get through the day without thinking about how the issues at home and on the street. I also have to advocate that in an urban, predominantly African-American school, there are students who deserve and need an after school club to feel safe about who they are, including their sexuality.
I feel proud and privileged to be a part of these young people's lives. Working to do whatever they need to support them in obtaining their goals is the least I can do. And I love it.
I had hoped when I started this blog in August, I believe it was, that I would regularly share stories and experiences of my job as a social worker in an urban school. But, I have been so enraptured in the experience that the little time I have for myself I've used for time with my husband and rest/rejuvenation. The stress and exhaustion that I have experienced this semester is unlike any other job I have had, though. In past jobs, my stress from my work as an outpatient therapist or other social work roles led to burn out, moodiness, extreme fatigue. The stress I have now only promotes my motivation and love of the students I work with and the job I get to do every day.
I am working with many young women who are pregnant, from various backgrounds and with various levels of stability. I have to assist many of these women to ensure they have their basic needs met, some do not have medical coverage to receive prenatal care. A few are at great housing risk, which is obviously very concerning that they and their soon to be born child may be without a warm and stable home. I hear countless stories of survival with abusive parents, mothers who are in relationships with abusive men or drug dealers. So many of my students have lost someone they love to a violent or untimely death.
Yet, most of them continue on, trying as best they can to have a normal and fun high school and adolescent experience. Most students are so determined to get their high school diploma, many the first in their family. All I can really do is listen, support and maybe try to advocate for what they need. I think this is the central core of doing my job well. I have to advocate that a young woman with multiple serious medical issues, now pregnant with a child with many medical issues of his own, should have the computer at home so she can continue with her education. I have to advocate with the teachers who don't know the full picture at home to not be so hard on the student who is a little disruptive that day, because he's just trying to get through the day without thinking about how the issues at home and on the street. I also have to advocate that in an urban, predominantly African-American school, there are students who deserve and need an after school club to feel safe about who they are, including their sexuality.
I feel proud and privileged to be a part of these young people's lives. Working to do whatever they need to support them in obtaining their goals is the least I can do. And I love it.
Winter coziness
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.”
― Edith Sitwell
Oh, how I wish we had a fire place. I am tempted to have a roaring outdoor fire with lots of layers on, but I just don't think our chiminea would cut it. Otherwise, this quote suits my recent mood perfectly. With the bitter cold coming in and the sun is still not rising until after 7am, I am most content with a cup of coffee or tea, bundled up at home with the husband, the dogs (the cat watching nearby) and a good book. I keep saying I am going to get back into regular running mode as early prep for half marathon training (officially starting in January), but the cozy indoors are much more tempting.
― Edith Sitwell
Oh, how I wish we had a fire place. I am tempted to have a roaring outdoor fire with lots of layers on, but I just don't think our chiminea would cut it. Otherwise, this quote suits my recent mood perfectly. With the bitter cold coming in and the sun is still not rising until after 7am, I am most content with a cup of coffee or tea, bundled up at home with the husband, the dogs (the cat watching nearby) and a good book. I keep saying I am going to get back into regular running mode as early prep for half marathon training (officially starting in January), but the cozy indoors are much more tempting.
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