My Serious Side
As much as I love sarcasm, I too have a serious side. I am quite certain that the majority of you reading this are my friends and family so this is obviously not news to you. But just by chance any of my outreach efforts are starting work and others have stumbled onto my blog, I'd like to share a part of my life with you.
A little over six years ago, I lost a brother. He was bipolar and battled this disease for many years until it took his life. Joe was 22 years old. He particularly struggled in high school. Since then, I have spent a great deal of time reading up on bipolar disorder and anxiety in children and teens.
(I promise I am going somewhere up-lifting with this, just hang on).
Disorders such as these are genetically linked and traces of them run on both sides of our families so I am particularly sensitive on the subject when it comes to my children. Honestly, if it hadn't been for the loss of Joe, I know I wouldn't be giving it this much attention. I also believe we have come along way in understanding issues like these and schools are starting to catch on. Of course it is a long road.
When I look back at some of the teachers I had growing up, I just can't imagine them dealing with the issues of today. I think we expect a lot more of teachers now. They are no longer the sole authority in the classroom. Today they have to be therapists, nurses, mediators and partners in education, to name a few.
I feel very blessed to have had some truly fabulous and understanding teachers in my children's lives. From the little bit of time I have spent in their classrooms, I know I could never do what they do.
So I would like to say thank you, to all the teachers who have touched the lives of the children they teach. (and I am not just saying this because my mom is a teacher) I do hope you will pass this on to teachers you know and remember to thank them from time-to-time.
A little over six years ago, I lost a brother. He was bipolar and battled this disease for many years until it took his life. Joe was 22 years old. He particularly struggled in high school. Since then, I have spent a great deal of time reading up on bipolar disorder and anxiety in children and teens.
(I promise I am going somewhere up-lifting with this, just hang on).
Disorders such as these are genetically linked and traces of them run on both sides of our families so I am particularly sensitive on the subject when it comes to my children. Honestly, if it hadn't been for the loss of Joe, I know I wouldn't be giving it this much attention. I also believe we have come along way in understanding issues like these and schools are starting to catch on. Of course it is a long road.
When I look back at some of the teachers I had growing up, I just can't imagine them dealing with the issues of today. I think we expect a lot more of teachers now. They are no longer the sole authority in the classroom. Today they have to be therapists, nurses, mediators and partners in education, to name a few.
I feel very blessed to have had some truly fabulous and understanding teachers in my children's lives. From the little bit of time I have spent in their classrooms, I know I could never do what they do.
So I would like to say thank you, to all the teachers who have touched the lives of the children they teach. (and I am not just saying this because my mom is a teacher) I do hope you will pass this on to teachers you know and remember to thank them from time-to-time.
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