Flexing

 I am not one that likes to flex my credentials, especially to parents. When I do I'm making a point. I usually don't have to do it all that often.. 

I have done it not once but twice this week... 

The first time I had a parent (who is a school psychologist)  insisting that her child needs a 504 , tells me that and the team that we are calling it the wrong thing based on what the teachers at her school call it then says she only wants it for state wide testing.. my response while professional.. was pointed.. my words "As a 20 year veteran special education teacher, I will not nor will the state allow me to write a 504 solely for statewide testing. A student must have access to it through out the year for it to be valid."  Parent tried to backtrack... classroom teacher had the classic look of oh crap she's pissed (meaning me)

Second time was just today. Met with parents and a teacher to discuss student progress and testing. Saw the parents in the hallway introduced myself and said we were going to the same place. (keep in mind teacher was scared to death to the point of googling how to talk to parents about testing process) Needless to say Dad didn't know I was coming and was PISSED.. game on dude came on.. Ironically through out the entire meeting Dad would only talk to me... Whatever... Throughout the meeting Dad tried to explain away why daughter does what she does... no sorry but no.. May have even referenced God a few times (thank goodness in a Catholic School) Finally I looked at Dad and said look.. I have a bachelors degree in special l education and elementary education and a masters degree in special education with an emphasis in autism.. I have 20 years in education 14 of which are in public school 6 of which are here.. so I know how to do this.. to which dad backed off.. he wants me to do the testing.. I told him I would love to but I don't have the letters behind my name to do it... End game - Dad should be calling for testing.. 

When mom and dad left I looked at teacher and said.. good lord dad is a douch bag.. she cracked up.. probably a little on the spectrum.. but eh.. teacher asked me how I did it.. I was like you can take the teacher out of the ghetto but you can't take the ghetto out of the girl... with that and small town not many parents scare me... 

I told her  I don't know how to prep for these conversations because honestly I don't know what parents are going to give me.... my response depends on what I am presented with.. and yes I was flying by the seat of my pants.

As a veteran teacher - I don't have all of the answers.. I just go with what I know and meet parents where they are and well if I have to speak crazy along the way well I do.