Now what?
by Nicholas P, published on June 27, 2018
Happy Tuesday to All!! And a Very Happy Tuesday to all the amazing teachers and students in guess where, lol.
Yesterday was the last day of the school year (sorry my psych and social worker friends, only two more to go!), and I AM super grateful for the paid time off (ok, something rarely mentioned in the ‘you get paid summers!?!?!!?’ discussion is the time and heart energy required to effectively work in this field and system, and a lot of us work outside their regular work hours, on their time, because things need to get done. In this heart, like many in service fields, it’s for the people and families we’re serving, and all good).
That being said, it’s such a world change going from a fast paced existence of trekking to schools across queens, compliance, meetings with families and teachers, writing IEP’s/IESP (individualized special education plans/service plans depending on the setting), team meetings, ordering assistive tech devices, all while using gifts and eyes to Love every aspect of it, and somehow get it done (KACB stylee, haha ??)……to a lot of free time in the schedule….to a world with basically no pace, haha. Sounds fantastic on the surface, but there’s still a part of me that’s going to miss it. A lot.
I am so looking forward to meeting up with some folks from the office later on at this cool spot on the water in Far Rock to celebrate the end of the year.
(Ok, quick Hug and Waves of Love to Far Rock, a place I knew nothing about before being assgned some schools there, and a place I instantly fell in Love with. It can be a tough place, no doubt, but it has this ‘small-town USA’ vibe, and there is such a sense of community, from Belle Harbor to Arverne, to Beach 90th, ok-the whole place, lol.
Sandy hit us pretty hard, but the resilience and strength, and Love of NYC helped rebuild it. (Side note: should anything else come our way, best believe we’ll come together as we always do, handle it, and come back even stronger. Never underestimate the Power of the NYC Heart, no matter the color of the surface…..?….sorry, All Love, always).
It amazed me that everyone seemed to know each other in the local mom n pop breakfast spot. Within a few visits, it was the greatest thing in the world that the awesomely friendly staff there called me by my name, had the order ready (no need for menus, lol-I’m a food guy, but it was my ‘Norm’ moment, haha. Cheers: great 80’s show for the any youngins out there, haha). The conversations…..You know, save for here and a few other folks, I generally meet and hang w folks where they’re at, and don’t talk (perhaps that’s changing, lol) much about things up here, for lack of a better word…..but there it was different. It was early in the CB days, and with a few folks there
(Bi-loc! lol What up Amanda! Your kid has to be either a doctor, linebacker, or both by now. You had one of the coolest, smartest, biggest toddlers I’ve ever seen, thanks for the intro. This kid was reading at 2. I miss the banter, appreciate the deep convos, and miss your amazing smile and no nonsense demeanor. Meant a lot to see you laugh w my ways, haha, ).
it was more me just sharing cool things I picked up. Was the only place, going back 8 years or so until recently. Kind of like now, lol.
For a while the adventure walks took me all across that area, where in addition to the people and families, I saw some of my first lightships, and special cloud formations. Big Thanks to the Rock. A truly special place in my Heart.
It’s awesome that that’s where the end of the year get together will be, as I Love every single person in my office, no matter what the surface looks like, lol.
(Besides needing like all my energy to get what I need to done, and flow with the day, my levels of interaction often depend on how tightly one is holding on to the programming, lol. Like many of us, I perhaps can come across as aloof, quirky, eccentric, blah blah….lol, all good. Heart’s True, and I’m just bein’ the Free ME!
One can’t have the parents, brother, experiences, music (In case anyone doubts it, Jimi Hendrix knew what was up, was born flying my freak flag, lol, . Thanks Brother! On so many levels) that I’ve been Blessed with, and NOT march to my own drum.
Anyway, let’s just say that some folks get perhaps more internal or silent well wishes, lol, and that works just the same, as I’m not wired to enable folks holding on to a world that just ain’t there anymore. Nor will I try to convince anyone of anything, no need for debate in these knowing parts, and polarized surface times.
I know they’re journeying same as I was, admire how amazing they are day to day with how they treat the families and students they serve, and know not only do great things await all of them, but that I’m doing my part to assist just by being me, no matter how it looks or it may be taken).
Doesn’t mean I Love them any less, it’s just that I know this energy Has to be at a certain frequency (not always, lol, but the soul always rights the ship, ya dig? Lol), as it serves a greater purpose.
However, within every single person I work with in that office, (from the maintenance staff, the clericals, psychologists, social worker who’s now doing the impartial hearings who actually knows what he’s doing but still could use some legal support (a good dude), teachers, preschool administrators who never cease to amaze me with all they’re tasked with and deliver every day, social workers, ups delivery folks)
Is the most amazing heart, and while the stresses of the job, and programming can lead to situations at times, that’s the one constant. I mean ALL of them.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked past the front desk, and heard the receptionist totally putting a nervous family at ease just by the way they speak to them. I know we all have roles and lanes there, but to me every single one of them (us?) is a clinician in their own way.
There’s just something about that office, I mean I’ve seen supervisors covering the front desk….who are so real, and bosses, lol, yet understanding of what we’re tasked with, and are people you can talk to and consult with whenever you need to. I appreciate them greatly, and know all they’re tasked with as well. The few scattered people from other departments that are also next level supervisors as far as education goes, to the folks I mentioned above. Like everyone has the most amazing hearts, and do so much for so many people, often under tough expectations, navigating a system that has it’s flaws, but also has it’s gems.
I guess what I’m saying, and some there would never believe this, lol, but part of me is really going to miss the day to day, but more so every single person I work with and among. It’s awesome being part of this collective that serves 3 Districts in Queens, working rapid fire, dealing with the great and not so great sides of Ed, reviewing hundreds of cases a year, meeting with great families and incredible gifted students no matter their ‘classification’, lol…..all with the same underlying energy.
I AM in awe at all of them, and what they do for Children with Special Needs and their families, in our Districts and beyond. It’s always a treat when a parent brings an advocate to a meeting, then realizes quickly that the folks they’re meeting with, from ‘The City’, lol, are Super Advocates as well, and have their child’s interests at Heart, always.
I can’t speak for every office across the city in our role, but can absolutely speak on what and who I see everyday and every week. I Love them so much!! You are all so amazing!!!
I know it’s only 8 weeks really (and also that a lot will happen in said 8 weeks, for everyone), but I’ve had to clear some ‘now what?’ thoughts that have come up based on previous idle summers that got old real quick.
Only I KNOW NOW is not then, I Do Know What, lol, and I AM so excited to create this summer along with ALL, and hang with Mother Ocean for a few. Starting with today, in Small Town NYC, Far Rock, on the water, with amazing the folks of ***-*. They know who they are. Love it!
I absolutely ADORE your sharings about being a KACB in NYC! Please keep sharing!
Love ya bunches!
Sheila
Love you lots! ?? So Inspiring