Visit from Senator Bob McCaslin...gives hope.

Learn from those around you.

Mandy Manning Washington State's teacher of the year has taught me many things in the last few months.

1st--Legislators are not scary

2nd-- If you invite them to come visit, they may very well do so

3rd--Create relationships

I am very pleased to say that our visit today cemented those beliefs. We were so honored to host Senator Bob McCaslin from the 4th district this morning. He was kind, caring, and wonderful with my students and staff. He listened, and was interested. He is a retired teacher and really understands classrooms, kids, and schools. But mostly he's just a great guy.

Special Educational is of course very close to my heart. I am in the trenches every day and couldn't love it more...that's not to say there aren't issues.

Special Education Teachers are quitting in droves from burn out and overload. Those same teachers joined this profession because they had a passion, a passion to help student's become the best they can be. Huge heaps of paperwork, large caseloads, student behavior struggles, and isolation are just a few of the reasons.

Another issue ...Special Education students are not being integrated with their peers as much as they could, or should be. It's best practice, it's free, and it's just the right thing to do. The positives are not only huge for my kids socially and academically now, but extend over time into their future educational career creating that supportive network of friends. Integration is also incredibly positive for general education students as it lets them learn about this profession, teachers leadership, gives confidence, and simply gives them time to feel comfortable around those who are different.

The senator and I spoke about thinking outside the box for solutions, and it gives me hope. Hope that change is coming, hope that people like Senator Bob McCaslin care and are listening. Now fixes are not easy, not cheap, and not quick, but they are out there.

So this sped teacher leaves off with hope for the government if it's made up of men like Senator McCaslin.