How I am Avoiding my Yearly Sinus Infection While Still Working at School With Children

Hello Joyful Speechies,

It's not just coming... IT'S HERE.

"The Sickness" has already taken out a few of my SPED teachers and many students. Scream with me, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" The various colds and flus have gathered together since school opened a month ago and the germs have covered every inch of our school. Or so this is how I imagine it. A blanket of germs engulfing every surface.

I have been the un-wanted receiver of an earth-shaking sinus infection for the past 5 Octobers. FIVE. And let me tell you, "sinus infection" is such a misnomer. It should be called the "Exhausting-Nose-Plugging-Pressure-And-Headache-Head-Explosion-No-Sleep-Body-Aching-Face-Swollen" Infection.

No. Joke.

I feel you, Hermione Granger.

Turns out we need air to LIVE. A sinus infection takes away our beautiful power to breath and therefore causes all these other lovely side effects.

I don't want to use TWO sick days immediately into the school year. No more! I'm taking action. And I'm already kind of a germaphobe at school, so this is saying something!



And now, I'm no doctor, so whatever I say you can take with a grain of salt. But here is how I'm attempting to avoid Urgent Care this year...

1. Airborne Dual Action. I've been taking it every. single. day. since about September 28.

Airborne Dual Action

2. Blowing nose after hot showers. This was recommended to me by one of my professors in school. Get rid of those stagnant germs living in your nose!

3. NeilMed Sinuagtor. It's like a Netti-Pot, but powered up! And Netti-Pots never work for me, but this thing does! I cannot believe this thing doesn't have five stars on Amazon, but I guess to each his own!

NeilMed Sinuagtor

4. Washing my hands and using hand sanitizer all day, every day. Bye, bye, germs!

5.  Clorox wiping the heck out of my room. Computer? Yep. Door handles? Yep. Table tops, chairs, desks, door? Yep, yep, yep, yep! I heard they make Hydrogen Peroxide wipes/cleaner were actually the best to get rid of germs, but I've never tried them.

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes - the green kind is my favorite!

Clorox Hydrogen Peroxide Wipes

6. Oil Diffuser - A second grade teacher recommended this to me. Apparently there are essential oils that actually kill off germs. She has one in her classroom and highly recommended it to me. So naturally, I immediately got this cute panda one and a larger color-changing one. This Four Thieves stuff is actually supposed to KILL the germs.

Panda Diffuser

HAMSWAN Essential Oil Diffuser

Four Thieves Bandits Anti-Germ Powerful Germ Killer Essential Oil Blend

7. Nasal Steamer - This is something I got to steam my face before doing at-home facials, and it came with this bonus nasal steamer. Sweet! I just put my nose near the stream of hot steam and then blow my nose. It's very similar to stepping out of a hot shower. Plus, you can also give yourself a little facial afterwards with a nose strip or a face mask. Bonus "you-time!"

Beauty Chic Facial Sauna (and Nasal Steamer!)

8. Focusing on the MOST important basics - Get sleep, water, and try to not be stressed. I usually get sick right after I run myself into the ground by working too much and not sleeping. The mission is to sleep and let my body heal and keep the immune system up and running!

And should the worse thing happen ever- I receive a Sinus Infection, I will be taking Mucinex-D (for you know-the mucus), Ibuprofen (for the swelling), drinking TONS of water (to help with drainage), likely contacting Urgent Care for some good old antibiotics, and praying I won't have to use the usual TWO precious sick days.

Joyfully,

Therapy Idea -- Invisible Ink Pens

Hello Joyful Speechies!

I'm here with a fun idea for therapy! Three words: invisible ink pens.

The link will take you to the exact pens I purchased from Amazon. The ink is clear and each pen cap has a light so you can see the ink.

They aren't that expensive and I love the little cartoons on the side- perfect for the little ones. Fun!


Invisible Ink Pens

Obviously, the ink is clear so the students won't be able to see what they're writing as they write it. So for students with fine motor difficulties or that find writing a challenge, perhaps use it for more of a simple drawing or "revealing" activity.

 

A quick brainstorm of how to use in therapy:

1. Outline drawings or play connect the dots with a speech and language activity.

2. Write the answers to the work and have students reveal the truth with the light.

3. Have the students write a "secret" note, or you can write a "secret" note to them following short segments of work for them to have a surprise after each segment to keep them motivated.

I'm sure there are more ways to use the pens. How would you use the invisible ink pens in therapy?

Joyfully,

Rockin' a Teacher Apron

Hello Joyful Speechies!

YES! You read that title right! This year I'm wearing a teacher and/or therapy apron.

This way when running around the school I can have access to things like rewards and pens without ever forgetting to grab them before leaving my office. Sometimes my storage clipboard just doesn't have enough space!

I purchased mine off Etsy (Seller: LizzysBiz), but you can find them on eBay or Amazon too. Some have zippered pockets or key fobs, which would also come in handy.


Apron from Etsy shop (this is the one I have): LizzysBiz

Super cute option from Amazon seller CraftyMom75

I even had mine monogrammed, because-- why not? It feels so adorable and makes me feel like it's out of the Reese Whitherspoon's Draper James line!

Joyfully,

Classy and Professional Earrings

Happy October Joyful Speechies!

We've made it to the beautiful season of Autumn!

I wanted to do a post on something I've been obsessing over lately, which is emerald cut earrings.

Emerald is such a classy cut and it's always been one of my favorites. I mean, our girl Beyonce has an emerald cut engagement ring, so it's got to be the way to go.

Beyoncé rocking her beautiful emerald cut engagement ring

 

And on the hand or ears- this cut shimmers in the light! Timeless. Classy. Perfect for someone to add sparkle to their professional wardrobe.

Below are some from Amazon that I found. Gorgeous:

Emerald Cut Earrings from Amazon

I'm also digging the cushion cut earrings too. Let me know in the comments below if you love the emerald cut too or prefer another earring choice!

Joyfully,

Email Etiquette

Hello Joyful Speechies!

The beginning of the school year means students transferring and having to send/receive record requests from other schools. This year particularly I've felt the emails have been...dare I say...rude?

I know I'm not the only one receiving these half-(hearted) emails.

What do I expect when I open an email?

Well for starters, you need a greeting. For example, "Good morning." You need the body of the paragraph to state your business, in which throwing in a few "please and thank you" never hurt anybody. And then you should definitely say "Thank you" and then sign your name.

Because you know what? As miserable as it is to have to sit down and write a polite email- someone is taking time out of their day to read it. So you better make them feel at least a little tiny ounce of respect in it.

P.S. Please God, don't be a Gary and write your emails in comic sans. Yes, I've heard from teachers that it's the "only font that has characters the way we teach writing." But if you're writing an email, the other person likely can already read. Use an "adult" font, like Times New Roman, Georgia, or even Tahoma. And also don't make it 24 point font. It makes everything look like it's written for a Kindergartener. Some say personal preference on this one, buuuuuut... I firmly believe this should be a rule of thumb.



BARF and INCORRECT. Gary from "Parks and Recreation" on NBC

And look, I know we're busy. I know that everything isn't always sunshine and roses. But a little decency in the form of a simple, "Hello" would be much appreciated. And I'm sure you can agree.

Joyfully,

Back to School Supplies [MUST Have]

Hello Joyful Speechies,

It's likely a trait of all Speechies and I am no exception- I LOVE good school supplies and it's a plus if they're pretty.

Liz Lemon gets me from "30 Rock" on NBC

Check out below what I think are must haves and let me know in the comments below for anything you think I missed! *All pictures should link to the exact product I'm talking about.

1. Mechanical Pencils

No, no, no, not just any mechanical pencils --- Paper Mate Clear Point Mechanical Pencils. These things are my go-to and they are amazing.

2. Pens and Pens

I just found these white pens and I love them. They are fairly cheap, but with the white they look chic.

 

2. Cat Tape Dispenser

I saw this and thought, "Are you freaking kidding me?!" They combined two of the coolest things- an adorable cat and Post-It Notes. Sold.

3. Pretty Hanging File Folders (and Tiered Holder)

Organization is the key to success when you're an SLP. I have three clear stackable filing trays with pretty folders that keep me organized and so I can see my pretty file folders. I just placed an order for this tiered file folder organizer so I can feel like Kelli Finglass of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Don't watch "Making the Team"? Well, let me tell you her office is #goals. She has a wrap-around-desk and labeled folders that make my Type-A-side swoon.

Kelli Finglass (see in the back? Swooning!):

 

4. Black and White Printer

If your school is anything like mine, the one printer for the entire building is constantly out-of-order or has a line out of the door. I had to alleviate this unnecessary stressor last year by purchasing my own black-and-white-only printer. The key is to purchase a printer that uses toner. That means you get more pages for your buck. This is the exact one I own and it's super easy to use. I love it!

5. Color Printer (with Scanner and Copier Functions!)

It was so nice having my black and white printer I went above and beyond and purchased a color printer a few months later. It's an ink-jet and can be costly to print, so I use it sparingly. I use it the most for its copying and scanning capability.

6. Label Maker

Now I'm starting to show my crazy with this one...but I label everything. Binders? Yep. Games? Yep. Notebooks? Yep. Drawers? Yep. This is the label maker I use to keep my mind at ease.

I could go on forever listing what I use, but those are some biggies.
Obviously everyone has different needs in their positions. What are your must-haves? Comment below to let me know!

Joyfully,