How I ASPIRE to Be Better
By Lakoda Gleason
My name is Lakoda Skye Gleason and I am 71/2-years-old. I have a twin brother named Landen. I collect Pokemon cards, Hot Wheel cars and airplanes. I like the food my mom cooks; especially hamburger helper, chicken quesadillas and tacos. I play Upwards Basketball and I'm on the Robins Youth Bowling League. When I grow up I want to be a fighter pilot. I love World War II aircraft! My favorite color is green and I like to read non-fiction books. I have two kittens named Oscoda and Tybee.
I think it is important for me to talk during the IEP meetings because then the adults can understand what is hard for me. I felt proud sharing my strengths with my teacher and my family. Sharing my challenges made me feel good because it helps them to understand me better. I attended my first Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting when I was in the first grade. I participated in the meeting by making a poster board with my teacher. The poster had what I enjoy doing, what I like about school and what is frustrating for me at school. I felt proud sharing my strengths with my teacher and my family. Sharing my challenges made me feel good because it helps them to understand me better. I still have the poster board that I made even though I'm in the second grade now!
At first, it was a little scary seeing all the grown-ups sitting around the table but everyone was nice and asked me questions – then it was easy because I felt like I was talking with friends. They would smile at me and that made me feel better. When I first got to the meeting they asked if I knew everyone at the table and if I didn't, they told me their names. My mom and dad were there and I sat on my dad's lap. After that, I got to talk about my poster and then they would ask me questions. They even talked about airplanes with me!
Sometimes my speech therapist and occupational therapist are there and they talk about what sounds I've been working on and how I practice my writing at occupational therapy. I think it is important for me to talk during the IEP meetings because then the adults can understand what is hard for me. Then we can brainstorm ways to make it better. If I didn't talk during the meetings they wouldn't know how I feel inside.
I feel like I've changed about 50% since participating in the meetings. I am confident and I don't get upset as much which is one of my goals. A goal is something you want to achieve; sometimes it takes a lot of work to achieve a goal. In the last meeting I told them that I hope to learn my times tables this year.
When I grow up I want to be a fighter pilot. I want to fly an F-16 Fighting Falcon or I want to fly an X1-14 Pusher which is an experimental plane. Then I want to fly a civilian airliner. I am going to join the Air Force. If there was another student that wanted to talk during their IEP meetings I would tell them to not be afraid, talk a lot and be good.
Lakoda Gleason is 71/2-years-old and attends Elam Elementary at the Elberta Center. Gleason is in his 2nd year of participating in an ASPIRE (Active Student Participation Inspires Real Engagement) student-led IEP.
