Almost two years ago, I started writing this blog to share what I learned about twice-exceptional children. This began as a way of helping and supporting families that were left with more questions than answers. I didn’t want others to have to start at the beginning and I knew that I had an interesting perspective to share as a mother and as an elementary teacher.
I understood what it was like to wear both of those hats. I understood the increasing responsibilities and the hard work. I understood the crowded classes and limited time. I understood about schedules, mandates, and curriculum adoptions.
I also understood that excuses, even if they were true in some ways, didn’t make a parent feel better when their child wasn’t getting what they needed.
They were just excuses.
Over time, this site has given me FAR more than I could possibly share with others. There is support and community during the hardest days. There are suggestions of articles and resources to seek out. There are parents and educators encouraging me and telling me that they have my back, even though we have never really met. There are mothers telling me that they wished they would have fought back long ago.
Because of all this, I feel a responsibility to urge other parents to advocate for their children. To continue to try to educate and push boundaries on behalf of their children and what they believe is right and fair. Trust me when I say that this won’t win you any popularity contests, but it’s worth it. No regrets.
Most of you know that we filed a formal complaint with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights against our school district. This was a very hard decision and a long time coming. We tried many other avenues without any changes or compromises and felt that we had no other choice.
We are about to gear up for the negotiations; while I can’t tell you specifics, I can tell you that I am glad that we will have the opportunity to be heard and to possibly make changes that will help students in the future. We plan to ask for policies and procedures to be changed so that families are not cut out of the decision-making process that is needed to make wise choices for their children.
Bottom line is this…It was really hard as a teacher, to turn in a school district to be investigated. I felt like I was breaking some kind of code. But then the other side of me saw the need to protect the profession and those children that we educate, serve, support.
We didn’t have a choice, but we do now.
I choose to make it right for other parents that might not know what I know.
I choose to make it right for other students that will come next.
I choose to make it right for my son.
My Twice Baked Potato 
I’m really thankful for people like you who choose to do the hard thing for the right reasons. And I’m glad you keep writing – I love hearing about the progress your son is making! -Amy
Amy,
Thank you so much! Just when it gets too much, I laugh and think about my nickname “PitBull” and realize…it’s okay to be persistent 🙂
I’ve followed your blog for about a year and it’s great that you are standing up for what is right. I can’t wait to hear the ending to this battle!
Thank you!! We want to make sure that all staff and educated about kids like mine. Identifying and serving kids that don’t fit in the box should be equally as important. I’m not sure how they can make it better for my son, but that’s where we are now. Your support and encouragement is appreciated!!
Wow! It’s uncanny but this is exactly what we are going through. We also just completed paperwork for investigation of our school district. We feel like we were not equal participants in my child’s IEP meeting and the trend is more of a downward communication in favour of the district. Decisions were made without considering my child’s unique situation. Rather they lumped her with the rest. Which is why we questioned whether FAPE was implemented or not.
It is sad to know how many kids and families are experiencing the same thing!
Rock on, girl! Funny how homeschooling is now filling up with former classroom teachers these days!
EVERY parent needs to advocate for the needs of his/her children. Teachers have lost their voices and all that’s left are parents. Though it may create waves and affect the teachers, underneath it all and with some perspective, they’ll see that you’re also fighting for them.
Thank you for the encouragement and support! 🙂
Yes yes yes! Advocate and talk and write your heart out. this is what’s best. Our kids deserve all of the advocacies and all of the love, forever and forever!
That’s right 😉
No more sitting by and letting others do things, say things that knock down my kid or “try” things like he is a guinea pig. No more!