"THE NEW AUTISM GURU" IS A BIG PILE OF NERVES

Sorry it's been so long since I've posted but I've been ultra busy trying to finish up my old job. Sunday was the last day of my job as a full-time employee. I am going to stay on part-time (one, maybe two at the most) days a week of family training and supervision. Monday started training at my new job. I got a position as a special education teacher in the autism program in a non-public school. I'm so excited about the school, the program, everything. The school is like no other I've ever taught at or been in for that matter. From the moment you walk in, you think is this a school. From the vibrant colors on the walls, the nontraditional furniture (table cloths and place mats in the dining room) to the individualized and abundant technology, I was hooked. What really sold me was when the educational director (fancy title for principal) said to me, if you're someone who needs structure, control, or anything like that you will not survive hear. We are true believers in controlled chaos as if someone has an idea, we'll try it out. I immediately thought I've got to have this job and when after a discussion about my past experiences with community outings, he started calling it my class (i.e. "your class does this, your class that.") I prayed that it would be mine. An email that Friday evening thanking him for the interview and expressing my interest, I received a reply later that night from his home email account saying "We loved you, we think you'll be a great fit. If you don't hear from HR by Wednesday, CALL ME!!!" Yippee!!!

So for the past four days, I have been freezing my hiney off in trainings (yes, I've been wearing a wool sweater jacket in 90 degree weather) with other newbies from all 3 campuses, 2 group homes, and a foster program. Today was the first day, I actually had a whole conversation with someone who's going to be on my campus and possibly a part of my team.

Tomorrow (or later today actually) is my first "real" day of work. Training is over and all staff come back. I AM SO NERVOUS!!! I don't know where my classroom is, I wasn't even sure where I was supposed to report first thing in the morning. Plus every time this week I've met someone new, they get all excited and call me the Autism Guru (it's a school with mostly emotionally disturbed kids that is hoping to expand their autism program - hence why they wanted me for my experience to make that expansion happen). That's a lot to live up to. I'm still trying to get in the routine of getting up early and instead of sleeping at 12;45 (up in 6 hours). My stomach is tied in knots. I feel like a little kid going to her first day of school in a new town.