January 28, 2022 marked my one year anniversary of paying off my student loans . Reflecting back on choosing to pay off my student loans leaves me with several take a ways that I want to share with you! In September 2020 I decided to become debt free by utilizing the debt snowball method to pay off all my debt. Before this I had struggled to save and really understand basic financial principles. As a first-generation college student, I received a scholarship to attend undergrad for free, but the scholarship did not cover summers. During the summers I took out student loans to cover costs without paying interest rates or how much I was taking out. By the end of undergrad I had amassed a little under $17K. Fast forward to graduate school I received another scholarship that covered my education. At the time I was a teacher in a new very expensive city and I had missed the cutoff to have my paycheck last me throughout the summer. So, I decided to take out a loan for two summers to keep
(This
a photo of me smiling at my desk in a blue top used as a thumbnail for my YouTube video
on April is Autism Awareness Month.)
April is Autism Awareness Month and one of my favorite
months to celebrate as someone who works with the disability community. I remember
as a teacher one year I planned a school wide Autism Awareness dance with a DJ
and food! My students had such a great time. Another student who was in general
education came up to me and asked if I planned the party. I told him yes and
his response was “Wow! You did a GREAT job!” and he gave me a hug! I felt so good!
That’s what inclusion is all about including students with and without
disabilities in common activities.
By now, you probably know that Autism is a group of
neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by things like repetitive and restrictive
behaviors or fixated interests. The spectrum is wide so each behavior may look different
and no one person is the same. As someone who has worked with this population
for a while here are a few tips that I recommend to better your students,
coworkers, or friend experiences overall who may be on the spectrum.
1. Be
clear. No need for beating around the bush. Sometimes individuals on the
spectrum have a hard time reading in between the lines or understanding jokes
so leave these things out.
2. Be
aware of sensory overload. Things like harsh lighting, loud noise, or
overpowering smells can affect students on the spectrum tremendously. Utilize
quiet and calm spaces with dimmed lighting and comfy seating when working with
this population.
3. Each
person is unique. Don’t get sidetracked by things that you may have seen on
television or read in the media. No one person has the exact same experience.
Everyone is different so don’t utilize a one size fits all approach. Be
flexible.
You can be an ally to this population by not
tolerating inappropriate talk or encouraging social behaviors like striking up
a conversation focused on their interests. Watch the video below for more
information on Autism Awareness! Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button!
SUBSCRIBE: April
is Autism Awareness Month
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