First, the Facts:
- I will be starting my 28th year as an Intervention Specialist and am in my 24th year as a mom of two.
- I have worked with students at every grade level from kindergarten to 12th grade and a wide range of disabilities from severe multiple disabilities to mild learning disabilities.
- I have been a home instructor, tutor, self-contained classroom teacher, and an inclusion teacher. I have worked with at-risk high school students and was a class advisor for two years.
- I am a 1996 graduate of Ohio University with a B.S. in Special Education DH/SLD K-12.
- I completed my Master’s Degree in Curriculum Instruction in 2009 at the University of Phoenix.
- I currently work as a Middle School Math Intervention Specialist, after many years of Language Arts.
**My Opinions: (are my own, and do not necessarily reflect those of my colleagues, school, or district.)
- Everyone has potential, but not everyone has someone who believes in them.
- Everyone deserves a chance, or two, or three.
- Everyone can change, but they have to want to.
- Everything has value – negative or positive.
- Everything you do affects others in some way – negatively or positively.
- Everything works itself out in time.
- There is always another (and probably better) way to do something.
- There is always tomorrow.
- There is a quote for everything.
“We build too many walls and not enough bridges.”–Isaac Newton
I took this picture at a nature center just outside of town. The kids and I go every summer and this bridge is a favorite photo spot. For someone who has a fear of heights, seemingly dangerous situations, and getting hurt, crossing this suspension bridge each year requires a lot of courage. As I was looking through my photo albums for the perfect image for this blog, I knew this was “the one.”
For a large portion of my life, I was surrounded by walls. Some walls were built by others and some walls I built all by myself. I see a lot of students who have walls as well….emotional walls, cultural barriers, ability and learning differences, and circumstances that make life seem almost impossible. These walls can keep them from accessing the things they need to have a successful, independent, happy life.
I have had enough success with enough students (and myself) to know that walls can come down and life can be so much more than you thought possible.
Walls represent being scared, being alone, and being stuck where you are.
Bridges represent being brave, making connections, and moving forward with your life.
All Access Pass 
Melanie,
Do you have a rubric for figuring out who is which character in the Outsiders with your survey?
Honestly, no….I have small classes, and I take into account their personalities and their responses to come up with a list that works. Very subjective. They still enjoy it, and I try to match them up the best I can.
I love your site and I have some questions about the No Guitar Blues activities. Can they do the interactive one on the ipad or only on smart board. I have an 11 year old who has type 1 diabetes also so it is great to read and dicsuss with others! Please email me at kcequina@gmail.com. I couldn’t find your contact info on here.
I have not used No Guitar Blues on the iPads. I have only used it on the SMARTboard. I know there is a SMART notebook app but I don’t think it is that great.
How interesting you have a child with T1D too!
Thanks for visiting. Let me know if you have any more questions.
Hi Mel! I’ve nominated you to Liebster Blog Award. http://lifessweetbittersurprises.wordpress.com/2012/11/14/liebster-award/
Aw thanks! My 2nd Liebster Award!
Thanks for the like on my post. As only a second year teacher I am seeing so much great, useful material and ideas on your blog!
Thanks for stopping by! I am glad you are able to use some of my ideas. Let me know how they do (or don’t) work. I’m always looking for ways to make things better and I love to hear success stories!
Thanks for visiting my blog. It’s great to read of your commitment and positive input in shaping young lives. I see another metaphor, ‘opening doors’.
“Opening doors”…..I love it!!
Melanie — I’ve been struck by your passion, both for your son and your craft. It comes through in your posts. I wanted to pay you the respect of coming to you with the news that I’ll be nominating your blog with the Liebster Award when I publish later tonight. Well done. Dan
Thank you so much for the nomination Dan! It is so nice to get positive feedback!
You sound like a great educator to make every child succeed! I’m also starting as a teacher and it excites me when a student finally ‘gets it’.
Thank you! Those moments are the best part of teaching! I hope you learn some great ideas from my blog and the other great blogs I’ve highlighted here today.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for the follow. Have a great week!