Working at SLC gave me the opportunity to work and teach children, something I've always wanted to do. Initially, I worked one-on-one with students, which I truly enjoyed. Seeing their successes was wonderful and now looking back and seeing the successess through "mom eyes" is....there are few words to describe the feeling.
 
I worked at SLC from 1994-1997, while I completed my college degree. Once I had my degree, I left SLC but quickly burnt out in my field (pscyhiatric social worker at an in-patient hospital). I returned to SLC in 1999, shortly before I was married, as Director of Assessments. I absolutely loved this position!! The testing process is like a maze/mystery and working my way through it, trying to figure out what programs would be best for the student (with Jill's amazing knowledge and assistance) was thrilling. I also loved the flexibility of this position as I was able to work part-time once my son was born. Two years later, my daughter was born and I was fortunate enough to be able to stay home with my kids. As sad as I was to leave SLC, the things I learned there absolutely prepared me for my life to come.
 
Because of everything I learned (from Jill and the students), I was able to recognize my husband's ADD. I am thankful that I was able to recognize the signs as being ADD and not just my husband being lazy or thoughtless. A few years later, we went through the same diagnosing process with our son.
 
I am EXTREMELY thankful for all the knowledge I gained. I was able to recognize and address concerns that I was seeing at home in Tyler's schoolwork,  while the teacher believed what she was seeing in the classroom was "typical boy behavior" and "typical 1st grade errors." My husband and I were able to intervene, request testing through the school (despite their resistance), and eventually receive a medical diagnosis of ADD.
 
Up to this point, Tyler had been able to maintain in the classroom (all of 1st grade and first quarter of 2nd grade) and his grades were fine. However, the diagnosis came just as the 2nd quarter was ending and his grades/comments were drastically different. Tyler was beginning to have a harder time maintaining in the classroom. 
 
Had I not had the prior knowledge and experience, I don't believe Tyler would have received the help/assistance he needed until "it was too late." The path of trying to figure out what was going on with him would've been long, difficult, and frustrating, most especially for Tyler. I feel that we saved valuable time and Tyler did not lose much confidence in his abilities as a student.
 
And now in working with Tyler, I feel I have a different perspective. When I see him getting frustrated and having a hard time focusing, I try and imagine him as one of my students, and I put myself in his shoes. Seeing things through his eyes can be very interesting and at times I don't fully understand it but I am so grateful for the understanding that I do have.
 
PS....This is an OLD picture!! Taken June of 2008 at Emily's pre-k graduation.
 

Old Photo: