Physical Disability vs. a Handicap

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a handicap is when someone is put at a disadvantage. While a disability is a disqualification, restriction, or disadvantage clue to a physical or mental impairment. The difference is that disabilities are functional impairments and handicaps are disadvantages impaired on individuals. Someone could be disabled without being handicapped. I have had experience with both.

At the age of four I had a stroke which weakened the entire left side of my body. It also made me loose most of my memory and made my ability to learn difficult. Growing up with these disabilities was very difficult but I did not allow it to handicap me. Any activity I had the opportunity to try I tried it, no matter how many people told me I wouldn’t be able to. For instance, I was told that I would not be able to cheer due to my left hand being slower than my right. I tried out multiple times and made the team each time. As far as learning is concerned, I had to work hard to issue success in school. Through I didn’t allow these disabilities to handicap, others always tried to. I think that was and still is the hardest thing I have to deal with when it comes to my disabilities.

At the age of 18 I became wheelchair bound. This was due to having pins in my feet, both of them but at separate times. Being handicap was bittersweet. At times I wanted to be treated as if I was actually handicap. I enjoyed people opening doors for me and being nice to me just because I was in a wheelchair. Other times I was upset that the handicap handicapped me. In other words, I wanted to do things for myself and by myself but was unable to. Someone was always trying to help me because he/she felt sorry for me.  The main thing that I did not like about being handicap was all of the extra attention that was given to me. During the time I was in the wheelchair people would just stare out of curiosity for me having pins coming out of my feet. I respected those who would ask, “What happened?” opposed to those who would just stare and stare and stare.

Even though disabilities and handicaps are different, my experience with the two sure was, there is one thing that was similar. The support from my family was very strong. When I was in the hospital they would come visit me and even stay the night. They would keep in much with me and remind me that everything would be alright. Outside of the hospital my family did any and everything that I could not do for myself. The support from them made my experience with the disability and handicap a lot easier.

I Am Who I Say I Am

I am a beautiful black strong woman that is loving, caring, and kind.
I wonder where my I will end up in life.
I hear God directing me in the right direction.
I see positive people on a day to day basis.
I want to be a great teacher.
I am a beautiful black strong woman that is loving, caring, and kind.

I pretend to be a famous singer.
I feel my cheek bones cry from constant smiling.
I touch the hearts of other.
I worry about disappointing others.
I cry when I fail
I am a beautiful black strong woman that is loving, caring, and kind.

I understand that anything is possible if I put God first.
I say "Failure is not an option."
I dream success.
I try my best at everything I do.
I hope to become a Proficient Educator.
I am a beautiful black strong woman that is loving, caring, and kind.

For the Love of Teaching

Every week Dr. Miller gives the students a spelling test over 10 words. I would grade the spelling test. Doing so, I noticed that there were three students making a 30% or less on the test. So I worked with those three. I gave them homework instructing them to write each spelling word 10 times and to study them. Also, I told them that if they passed their test with a 100% then I would get them something. The next week, I found out that Nora passed the test with an 80%, and Tyrome made a 10%. Therefore, even though Nora did not make a 100% I decided to give a mechanical pencil for doing so well. As for Tyrome, I continued to work with him on his spelling test. The next week I made him a homework packet for him to say, spell, and write each word 10 times. I was disappointed when Friday came and the homework packet was empty, but I was pleased that he improved by making a 60% on his test. So it was time to step it up a notch. The next week, I gave him another homework packet and he was required to do the same thing, say, spell, and write each word 10 times. Also, when he got into the classroom we work on the spelling words. Eventually, we had to take a walk in the hallway so that he would get distracted by what was going on in the classroom. That helped a lot. I decided to continue to work with him until he knew how to spell each word. I was not present when Dr. Miller gave the students there spelling test so I was excited to go back to the school to see how Tyrome did. Tyrome made an 80% on his test. I am extremely proud of him.

Still Waiting... for Superman!

On October 3, 2011 THE Fort Valley State University College of Education (CoE) showed the screaming of "Waiting for Superman". Following the movie there was a panel discussion about it.

"Waiting for Superman" was an interesting documentary. There were both good points and some over the top ones. One of the biggest points being made in the film was that public schools are not successful. Therefore, instead of improving the public school system, more charter schools and boarding schools are coming to existence. Now the public schools are being shut down. So instead of giving students an equal opportunity to get an education, in the public school system, they have to depend on a lottery type system to try to get into these charter and boarding school; failing to realize that the way out of poverty is not by chance. The horrific thing is that the public schools are being shut down because there are so many bad teachers in the system. But why are all these "bad" teachers being hired? Why not eliminate these "bad" teachers and put the competent ones that are being sent to these charter and boarding school back in the public school.

            Another thing that stood out to me was the issue on pay. Why pay teachers more for their greatness, doing what they are suppose to be doing in the first place? Having the understanding that educators do not get paid a huge salary should make teachers do their job for the love of teaching and not for money. At the same time, teachers who are not doing their job correctly should not be getting the same salary as the ones who are taking their job seriously and for the love of teaching.
            I appreciated the fact that there were so many parents that showed concern in their children lives. To see the passion and hope that these parents had for their children was just amazing. I did not agree with those parents who were trying to get their sons and daughters into a boarding school. Younger children should not have to be sent off to go to school, they are not attending college.

A great point that was made by the panelist was that diversity is essential in the schools. It is important for students to see what they will see in the outside world. For instance, in the outside business world there will not be only women, only African American, or only Caucasian in the business world. Therefore, students need to be able to interact with a diverse group of teachers.

Why I Want to be a Teacher

In 1997, I experienced my first career day. It was then when I realized that I wanted be an Early Childhood Education Teacher. A baby wanting to teach babies; how paradoxical. During that time, I did not have an understanding of why I wanted to become a teacher except for the fact that I enjoyed being around children younger than I was. As I got older my decision to pursue a career in education became a lot stronger and understandable.

When I think about what actually influenced my decision to become a teacher, all I can really think about is the fact that I love children. I also enjoy their presence. When I am around them my heart is filled with joy, no matter what the circumstance. Therefore, I wanted to make teaching my profession.

On top of my love for children, I have realized that teachers are very powerful. They have the power and strength to teach kids everyday of their life, no matter how much of a hard time a child may give them. I have also realized that teachers are so knowledgeable, whether they are teaching toddlers or college students. Do you understand how wonderful it is for a teacher to teach a 4 year old how to count to 100 or a student that 3x+1 =7? What is greater than that is how a teacher could mold their students from being bad children to becoming better ones.

It is amazing how children quickly imitate what they see. With that being the case, in this day in time how often do you hear children say thank you, excuse me, or my favorite: yes ma’am, no ma’am, yes sir, or no sir? Not very often. And a lot of times it is not their fault; it is just not being demonstrated to them. Therefore, the more I see the disrespect from children the more I want to teach them how to respect other, especially their elders. I agree with Proverbs 22:6 which states, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” How would you feel if more children told you thank you every time you did something for them? That is why I would like to follow in the footsteps of a teacher by becoming one.      

Vision of Today (In The Classroom)

    

Walking into a 21st century (ECSP, K-2) classroom, I vision success. A classroom where when you enter the door you know that there will be learning taking place and all the students are eager and ready to learn. I can see it now; the walls are covered with bright colors and information that will help the students learn. For instance, at the top of every wall there will be alphabet and number border going around it. The themes of the classroom would also be posted on the walls or hanging from the ceiling. Some of those themes would be, "Read to Succeed", "Count Aloud, Make Me Proud", and "Take a Break and Play", just to name a few. There would also be a wall that displays the students work, and progress. The floors would have carpet on it that represented every subject. One would have numbers, one the alphabet, another would have the planets, and the last one would have the map of the U.S. on it. If that doesn't cover the visible part of the floor, there would also be carpets with the different type of weather, the days of the week, the months of the year, or even colors. Of course there will be tables and chairs for the children to do work on. And being that the world is so technologically advanced, there will be two to five computers or laptops available for the students to work on. But that is only the appearance.

Not only should the classroom look inviting but it should also be inviting. Therefore, being that music is a great learning tool each day should start with a song. Not only would the students be learning but this would also give them the opportunity to sing and dance. From there, the class would go over what day it is, that includes the month, the day, the year, and the day of week. After all of that is established, the student will engage in a plethora of fun learning activities. Whether they are learning to read, write, count or do math, color, work on the computers, and ectera, they will be having a great time doing it. At the end of every day, the students would be required to tell one thing that they have learned and they would receive a light homework package.