Thursday, April 24, 2025
My critical friend meeting today was grounding and, in many ways, eye-opening. As a veteran in special education, I often power through the year, bracing myself for the predictable waves of burnout—testing season, compliance deadlines, behavioral flare-ups in the spring. But today, naming these patterns aloud with someone who truly gets it reminded me that survival mode shouldn't be the default. We talked about how proactive recovery planning is a form of resistance—scheduling rest, not just recovering from collapse. It’s a radical shift in mindset.
I also acknowledged how I’ve let go of activities that once kept me whole—like art-making. Creating used to be my lifeline, a space to exhale. I’ve now committed to reclaiming that space, even if it means setting firmer boundaries and turning down extra responsibilities. We discussed advocating for manageable caseloads, and I admitted I’m finally ready to file a formal concern at the start of next school year if our numbers are over the 30% threshold in my classroom. It’s not complaining—it’s protecting my ability to do this work with integrity.
Another takeaway was the value of documenting small wins. It’s easy to forget the progress—the first time a student used their coping strategy, the unexpected laughter during morning meeting. These moments matter. They remind me why I stay, even when the system feels broken.
I also acknowledged how I’ve let go of activities that once kept me whole—like art-making. Creating used to be my lifeline, a space to exhale. I’ve now committed to reclaiming that space, even if it means setting firmer boundaries and turning down extra responsibilities. We discussed advocating for manageable caseloads, and I admitted I’m finally ready to file a formal concern at the start of next school year if our numbers are over the 30% threshold in my classroom. It’s not complaining—it’s protecting my ability to do this work with integrity.
Another takeaway was the value of documenting small wins. It’s easy to forget the progress—the first time a student used their coping strategy, the unexpected laughter during morning meeting. These moments matter. They remind me why I stay, even when the system feels broken.
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