Hump Day Inspiration

Before I get to my inspiration of the day, I would like to mention some exciting news about Amber. You probably already know that I love Amber because I mention her a lot on the blog. She is somewhat famous among my friends and family that read the blog- mainly my mom :) Therefore I figure it's only right that I announce that Amber got engaged AND bought a house in the last week. Wahooo! Now it's time for me to offer some great advice to her on wedding planning (avoid it at all costs) and house renovating (make Eric do it). Also, you should know that her fiance's name is Eric, I'm not actually suggesting my Eric fly to Canada to help Amber with her house. Though now that I think of it, maybe the Erics can work together while Amber and I relax at yoga class and drink some wine. Just sayin'

So I think you guys know how much I love my kiddos. In fact, Eric's brother Josh thinks it's hilarious that both Eric and I refer to our students as "my kids." The kids I often work the hardest for, and then often love the most (assuming of course that I don't have "favorites") are students with diagnosed special needs (or undiagnosed as the case often is in kindergarten). In my classroom, the diagnosis I see the most is autism. In tutoring, the diagnosis I see the most is dyslexia. So... that's the background for my inspiration this week. Now for the inspiration...

First inspiration = my brother Jake. Obviously we know he is very awesome. However, he is also inspiration for my little elementary school dyslexic children who have to see my wonderful face a few times a week after they have already faced a long day at school (or when they are about to face it as is the case of my current kiddo who must deal with me at 7 am). Why? Well because Jake has dyslexia, but who would know it? Not only did he graduate what must be one of the hardest public high schools in the country, he is now on the Deans List in college AND last week his English teacher asked him if there is any chance that he would consider majoring in English. ENGLISH?! I don't think in their wildest dreams my struggling readers (or their parents) are dreaming of majors in English. Neither is Jake of course, because he is also smart enough to know he is not going to be buying me any Ferrari's with an English major (no offense English majors, clearly I am not buying myself any Ferrari's either with my education major either which is why it is important to suck up to my business major siblings). Jake = awesome inspiration.

Second inspiration= my favorite American Idol contestant this year, James. James has both Asperger's and Tourette's and he is in the Top 12 on Idol. Again this is a case of him embracing what was probably his biggest challenge as a child: social skills. I find him actually pretty hilarious on Idol, but it might be the fact that I am secretly picturing one of my students as him in 15 years...

Just a few things to think about tomorrow morning when it's pitch black when you wake up, feels like STILL an hour earlier and you kind of hate life... oh maybe that's just me this week. Do you have any good inspiration stories for me?