Lennon Rafftery [Speech and Language]

My speech kids are making horns a plenty this week, since we're getting closer to Thanksgiving. Anybody want to make it a whole class effort, just let me know. Inclusion is beneficial, and this is an easy enough project. We're using sugar cones, icing, and all manner of sugary candy to represent the fruit. The icing's just to hold it all in. The important thing is to get our speech and language challenged kids using their words, letting us hear their voices. The food is just a bonus, but I have to warn you, this one will rot your teeth!

Horns a plenty is really a funny word. Phrase. But it's easier to say than cornucopia. Maybe we'll try some kind of turkey something next week. It's a wonder my speech kids don't weigh more, all the food we make and eat. Really, though. Food is a great way to get them talking. Works better than direct bribes, anyway.

Most of you know by now, I was born the day John Lennon died. My mother didn't really even pay attention to the Beatles that much, but she had the radio on to try and distract herself from the contractions, until my dad got home to take her to the hospital. She named me Lennon because I was born later that night, just before midnight.

I know I've told some of you how I came to be a speech pathologist. Bear with me, while I tell it again. What are these new blogs for, if not to tell our unique stories? My father was 95% deaf. He lost his hearing to a high fever when he was three years old. I grew up fascinated by language because I lived in a house where language was not always the primary means of communication.

My father was the one who suggested I consider a career helping people with speech and language. I briefly considered bilingual communications, but I found speech pathology more to my liking. As a speech pathologist, I help kids who had trouble speaking clearly, using words appropriately, and communicating effectively. In my speech classes, we do a lot of hands on activities including cooking and building projects.

While i have you here, I just want to thank you all, for sharing your kids with me. I wouldn't be here without them!

He was born the day John lennon died, and his mother named him Lennon after the musician. He didn't particularly grow up listening to The Beatles, but he was aware of the origins of his name. He rather liked the fat he was the only Lennon in his class at school, while there were several Michaels, Jennifers, Christophers, and Ashleys. His name stood out, though and because it was unique, uncommon, and reminded people of a celebrity, everyone knew who he was. That was both a good thing and a not-good thing, for a kid in school.

Lennon's father was deaf, and Lennon grew up not only speaking, but signing as well. His mother fostered his love and interest in language, and helped guide him toward a career in speech pathology. Lennon loves to read and write and speak and sign. He loves words, in any form, and is fascinated by the way people speak and write and how word choice affects everything.

Lennon went on his first date at 16, and lost his virginity at prom that year. The following year, after prom his girlfriend found out she was pregnant. She tried to go and have an abortion, but Lennon talked her out of it. They were only 17, and still in high school. Chase was born the following winter, and Lennon's parents adopted him. He is now 11, and he knows Lennon is his father. He has never met his mother, she skipped town after Chase was born and Lennon hasn't heard from her since.

Lennon is a very religious man. He has been married and divorced, and has joint custody of his four year old son, Keefer. He and his wife divorced after six years of marriage, last year. They are not on the best of terms, but they both want the best for Keefer. Lennon sees him every other week, form Sunday to Sunday.

Lennon has been working at William H. Cooper Middle School for the last three years. He services a wide variety of kids, from special ed to regular ed children. He is well liked by students (who think his class is fun) and staff. He's a nice guy, and he doesn't entertain gossip. He enjoys getting to know his coworkers, but he has no interest in back stabbing and what not. In that respect, he keeps to himself.

He enjoys fishing, hiking, and camping. He is very much an outdoors person. He has two dogs, Starsky and Hutch, and a cat named Huggy Bear. Not hard to figure out what his favorite TV show of all time would be. He likes action shows and medical dramas, but cop shows are his favorite.