I am not sure if I can adequately comment on this essay as I believe myself to be so close to the emotions associated with disabilites. I suppose that this inability to comment in a sufficient manner may make me appear unprofessional, but so be it. Reading Erevelles brings back so many memories to me about the lack of any curriculum to address any of the needs I had in my 12 years in the public schools. When I was about three months old, the opthamologist told my mother that only time would tell if I would be able to attend public schools or the School for the Blind in Raleigh. He told her that my degree of intelligence would make all of the difference. My mother kept the doctor's observation in her heart all of those early years, even not telling my father. When it became obvious that I would be successful immersed in public education, a burden was lifted from my mother's heart, but the struggle for me was only beginning.
While I was very fortunate not to be like Peter, the young man in the essay, I still had to face many challenges daily in the classsroom, and looking back, it was obvious that my teachers, who were trained in the 1950s and 1960s, had no idea as to how to accommodate me in their lesson plans. I was on my own! Had I not been blessed with a quick mind and willing spirit, I would not have been successful. The williing spirit came from my mother's teachings, so she gets the credit for much of my success.
In some ways, I am glad that I had to be resourceful in gaining my education as I think that my endeavours made me a much stronger person. I also realize though that different levels of abilities and disabilities require curricula to address these needs. I am dismayed though about the current state of curricula to address disabilities as Everelles points out in her essay. Hopefully, I will have some more professional thoughts to add with my next post.
Joel
Comments (7)
Thank you for your honest and candid comments. To help me better understand, what are some of the things which could be changed about curriculum to help those with disabilities? Did you find the same challenges in your college courses and experiences? Have you encountered any educators who stand out in terms of how they helped you or others?
Posted by Christy Forrest | July 12, 2009 1:28 PM
Posted on July 12, 2009 13:28
I am wondering the same things as Christy especially about your college courses. Also do you find that you adapt curriculum to meet the needs of students with disabilities taking your classes?
Posted by Melanie | July 13, 2009 12:23 AM
Posted on July 13, 2009 00:23
I am wondering the same things as Christy especially about your college courses. Also do you find that you adapt curriculum to meet the needs of students with disabilities taking your classes?
Posted by Melanie | July 13, 2009 12:24 AM
Posted on July 13, 2009 00:24
I appreciated your insightful thoughts. I have a question...is this more an issue of curriculum? Or is it an issue of integrating different teaching styles in order to accomodate those with disabilities? I contend that as a teacher, I can teach any curriculum given to me. However, the approaches I use will be what makes it or breaks it for my students. Do you agree? Or am I missing an important component.
Posted by Kim | July 14, 2009 8:58 AM
Posted on July 14, 2009 08:58
Joel, thanks for your honesty and sincere remarks regarding issues surrounding the lack of curricula for differently- able students. I, like you, get all sorts of emotions when discussing issues of difference and isolation.
However,unlike you,I was considered nowhere near to being gifted and bright. Instead, many of my elementary years in school were filled with speech classes, pull out programs, and ADHD medication. Though I worked hard in class, things still did not come to me very easily.
But, just like your mother, my mom encouraged me and continued to help me to believe that anything was/ is possible. As a youngster, I knew that with a good attitude, hard work, and determination that I could not be stopped.
Even now, almost 30 years later, I still am amazed with the progress that I have made.
Posted by Johnny Smith | July 14, 2009 4:04 PM
Posted on July 14, 2009 16:04
I was sad to hear you say you were abandoning your original dissertation idea. I hope you find a topic you can write as equally candid and poetically about. Like Kim's entry said, we all struggle with areas of our lives that are limited and atrophied, but we can hide them and cover them up. For you, and millions like you, the struggle is so visible and raw. Continue to share with us so that we can grow in our capacity to teach and live gracefully and compassionately.
Posted by Danielle | July 14, 2009 9:58 PM
Posted on July 14, 2009 21:58
I was sad to hear you say you were abandoning your original dissertation idea. I hope you find a topic you can write as equally candid and poetically about. Like Kim's entry said, we all struggle with areas of our lives that are limited and atrophied, but we can hide them and cover them up. For you, and millions like you, the struggle is so visible and raw. Continue to share with us so that we can grow in our capacity to teach and live gracefully and compassionately.
Posted by Danielle | July 14, 2009 10:07 PM
Posted on July 14, 2009 22:07