Beaverton, OR

United States

97003

Special Education 3/ Wellness Instructor

Hillsboro School District

I was raised by a single mom who was, on looking back, mentally ill. She was an abusive and neglectful mother of 3. Her way of life was reckless and dangerous. My two brothers and I have very high ACE scores. Both of my brothers manifest significant damage. My damage is less obvious/visible, but I have spent my life helping others. I do this to try to heal myself. While raising my own children, my central goal was to be a loving wife and mother, and to be self-regulated. I've been married since 1983 and my 28 and 30 year old son and daughter have good relationships with my husband and I. Beginning in 2001, I started volunteering at the county jail. I've worked with various women, but one in particular, Susan, has become important in my life. She received a life sentence for her crime. Her ACE score is very high as well. She has made tremendous progress. She is my mental, spiritual, and emotional peer, and each week during our visits, we serve as a resource for each other in understanding many things about childhood, human nature, and mental illness. In 2009 I began working for the local school district (in special ed) where I was recognized right away as having a knack for helping kids with various dysregulation issues. In my work, I watch the teachers -who care so much, struggle to understand what is happening with the students that need help, but do not know how to ask for it in healthy ways. These same teachers, while they work hard to address the needs of their more challenging students, simultaneously worry about giving due attention to students who consistently demonstrate learning readiness. ACEs has put a name to the "White Elephant". It has given me the understanding and vocabulary I've been looking for. I am now beginning to feel more equipped to advocate for and assist these vulnerable students who are truly unable to help themselves. Beginning with the 2017 school year, I was invited to set up and run the new wellness center at the elementary school where I work. Our wellness center is called “The Peace Planet”. The program functions under the guidance of school district staff who are fully on board with ACE concepts. My job is to teach students how their physiology gives them clues to their emotional state, to broaden their emotional vocabulary and understanding of their own emotions as well as the emotions of others, and to help them develop self-regulation strategies that they can use wherever they are in life. While nearly all the students in my school access The Peace Planet, approximately 3 out of every 20 students at my school recieve more intensive support through the wellness program. My job is rewarding and fascinating!