It is that time of year when we are all just ‘Back to School’ and teachers are busy preparing their classrooms and getting ready for the new year. The first week back is always very exciting and I had my first three classes last week. This semester I am teaching three classes: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Curriculum Models and Methods in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education as well as the new Teach for America Seminar which I am co-teaching with the wonderful Lauren Hanson.

My theme for this semester is balance- a balance between work and relaxation, a balance between teaching and learning, a balance between listening and speaking, between writing and reading, between creativity and structure. In my tool box this semester I am adding the new CEC TEC+ and this months TEC has an excellent article on setting up the preschool classroom to include all children with and without special needs. I will also be adding the list of  top 20 best Special Education Teacher blogs from the 2012 Fascination Awards (Thank you to all of those who voted for me my blog which was voted number 7). There are some great ideas and inspiring stories. Finally to make sure that I practice self-care (much needed for teachers) I will be taking a daily 1o minute break to quiet my mind and relax and I will not eat and work at my desk (or at least I will try not to).