Journal - January 24th

`Learning Support' teaching is one of the `lower ranking' jobs in the Education Department. (Well, this is how it is in Queensland). Unless a child is actually identified with a `Special Need', eg ASD, we receive no financial support or teacher aide hours. Please don't get me wrong, I understand the needs these children have. But, up until a few years ago - unless you were Aboriginal or had a Physical or Intellectual disability - there was not a lot we could do for you.

Fortunately, things are changing - we have no more time, or money; but with the Introduction of the National Testing last year, and the discovery that more children than they thought cannot read or write, programs are being put into place. A lot of pressure is being put on Principals - and we as Learning Support Teachers are expected to `change the world' overnight.

One of the struggles many of my Learning Support colleagues have had is convincing the hierachy that Learning Difficulties/Disabilities cannot be suddenly `fixed'. Some are environmental, and changes can be made to help these children. But children with Dyslexia or Audio Processing Disorders (one day I will set up my `Educational page' and you will know what I am talking about) take a little more time - and they often great have success - (have I got some stories for you), but it doesn't happen overnight.

So, I guess this is why the last 2 days have been really `stressful' for me. On the one hand I have Principals wanting to `do things right', on the other hand there are teaching staff who just don't want you `interfering' with `their' students. When you are a strong, assertive person, you can usually survive - and many of my colleagues do well. But some of us, just take everything personally and end up complete `wrecks' by the end of th day. Unfortunately, I am one of the latter.

I can tell you for sure, that I would have not lasted in my job over the last 9 years if it hasn't been for the Lord. One of the songs I sing when I go on my walk every morning is: "I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME". It is a Steven Curtis Chapman song, from the 80's. I am not sure if I can write the whole song out without Steve's permission, but this is the chorus:

"His strength is perfect, when our strength is gone.
It carries us when we can't carry on.
Raised in His power, the weak become strong.
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect."

I first heard this song on a CD called `WOMAN OF GOD", released by Straightway Music in 1995. My little sister had just died from cancer, and I was beginning a new stage in my life, called UNIVERSITY!! So, I needed all the strengthening I could muster, and I knew this would only come from the Lord.

The next song on the CD, is called `Somebody Prayed for Me', released in 1995 by Terry Meeuwsen by `Ariose Music'; and recently I have discovered justn how important it is to have `prayer partners' in your life. Without PRAYER and without GOD'S STRENGTH, I know I could never make it through some of my days.

"Somebody prayed for me, somebody prayed for me.
Someone took my heart to Heaven, on bended knee.
Somebody wouldn't stop believing, till God had met my need.
Now I'm stronger today, `cause somebody prayed for me."