Bloghttp://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/KPartington/rss/blog_8129.xmlKeith Partington Blogen-usMon, 06 Apr 2009 02:34:30 GMTMon, 06 Apr 2009 02:34:30 GMTSchool World<![CDATA[Imagine There's a Book Deal, It's Easy if you Try]]>Imagine there’s a book deal, it’s easy if you try.  Helen Keller, Jason McElwain, and Jim Abbott who are the role models in our VOICE brochure have book deals.  Brad Cohen who was the feature for our VOICE Spotlight on Success in March also has a book deal.  Samuel Habib has a movie documentary.  I’ve learned a great deal from all these roles models through their books and movies.

My two children in the sixth grade just completed their Junior High Shadow day for orientation which marks the high noon point in their K-12 experience at VCS.  They have almost seven years completed and six more to go.  There are many chapters already complete in my imaginary book with many more to go. 

There was a CBS feature story during the final four coverage this week on Jason McElwain.  It highlighted how his success story paved the way for two more children with disabilities to become student managers and also get playing time for their schools.  He’s changed the world and he’s done it with rich support from family, friends, and staff in his Greece community.  When I read these stories, I’m often amazed at a key chapter that seems to be the spark for greatness.

During annual IEP season, I’m reminded of a chapter in my imaginary book just about six years ago.  It was one of those key chapters in the story that could have gone either way.  Thanks to a Kindergarten Teacher who’s retired, another staff member, and a parent representative for the IEP committee, we achieved a seemingly uphill battle that was the spark for the next six years of the story.  I occasionally write to that retired teacher because it was her leadership and professional expertise that set the stage for so many other dedicated staff teams to deliver continued development for this story. 

Early intervention is the key chapter for each of our children with disabilities.  We need to make sure as a school community that we facilitate that early intervention and allow our dedicated staff to speak openly on recommendations.

Whether there’s a book deal where any of our children become published success stories, or they just remain extraordinary off the printed page, let’s continue to work together to set the stage for our children’s successful path in life.  If you require advocacy advice, please contact Keith Partington at kpartin1@rochester.rr.com or 585-737-7678 for confidential support from our VOICE Advisory Board.

One thing’s for sure, if I ever write that imaginary book for one of my children, I’ll need strong editing support.  As you often see from my VOICE BLOG or LISTSERV, I’m light on grammatical proofreading.J

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