Stacy,
That is the nicest compliment that you could give -- to suggest that because of having taken the class you will do something consciously, something different in the future. Best of luck in applying your new-found awareness!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I have not had any experience with disabled students yet, but after taking this course, I made sure to find out who our contact person on campus is and what accomodations we have made. I feel confident that I will be able to assist these students better and hopefully one day I will get to see a success story.
Dan,
Your story is not only a credit to the student, but also to the staff and faculty who were willing to see the potential and help the student find nontraditional ways of accomplishing traditional things. Finding a way to help the student tap that potential is YOUR success.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
My success story involves a physically disabled student, who inspite of his disability, was able to complete the courseI taught, and later graduated from our college. At first, he had problems learning how to study, but with the help of myself and others, we instructed him on making flash cards, and other study techniques in order to become successful in his classes.
Meredith,
Great example -- and a reminder that disability is not ALWAYS permanent (although for most students with disabilities, it will be).
Dr. Jane Jarrow
At a previous institution that I worked for, I had a student who was enrolled for school and then got into a serious car accident. As a result of the accident, the student had significant disabilities and was forced to put off starting school because of the difficulties he was facing and because he needed a lot of surgeries. This particular student came back about a year later and succeeded in school with the appropriate accomodations.
Garry,
ABSOLUTELY! Accommodations are offered to assure *access*. The *success* is up to the student, as it is with any other student!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I have had several students that were hearing impeared. Two students asked for a sign language interpeter and one did not. One of the students with the interpeter did very well while the other used the disability as a crutch. The second was consistantly absent, late or left class stating: "they did not understand" when they missed lessons or did not do assignments. After continued documentations and replacing the support system with new sign language tutors the student finally dropped out with failing grades. The student requesting no sign language support (because they wanted to learn to operate in a "real world situation" earned the highest grades and completed the program successfully. I believe while support should be offered to serve as equal education opportunities it still requires the students to hold resposibility for the success.
Judy,
Just keep in mind that not all students who are unmotivated are students with disabilities, and not all students who succeed have no disability. Disability is (or, at least, should be) a neutral in this circumstance.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I think the biggest piece is the student must want to succeed. I have many ways in which to help a student to succeed, but I get frustrated with a student who doesn't care or apply themselves. The true reward of being a teacher is seeing the student grasp what they are learning and applying it; there is nothing like it for me or them!
I do not have a personal story, but I see students in the hallways everyday with obvious physical disabilities and I am always amazed at their determination to get a college education. It is inspiring to everyone, students, staff and faculty.
I worked with someone who was a paraplegic. I watched him lift himself out of his wheelchair, lock his leg braces so his legs were locked straight, and then slide himself down onto the floor so he could work on hospital equipment. When he was finished, he would get himself up off the floor and back into his wheelchair on his own. He was such an inspiration to all of his coworkers.
Josh,
It is terrific that the student felt comfortable enough to come forward and share his difficulties, and even better to hear that the faculty was ready to figure out a student-centered approach to keep the student engaged and thus facilitate his learning. Bravo!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
We had a student with ADHD who never done well in school previously who is now doing great because we have moved to a more interactive style of presenting the material to the student.
William,
It is always nice to know that you have made a positive difference in someone's life. Good for you!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
When employeed at the Children hospital when i was in high school, I met a young gentleman who was deemed mentally incapable. He was not overly eager to seek help but he desperately wanted the assistance. I simply asked how he could be assisted and applied what i could to his aid. 14 years later, he calls me his big cousin.
Mardi,
Now THAT is a success story! GRIN My academic background is in the field of speech pathology. It is not unusual for some folks that stutter (not all, but some) to find that they stutter LESS when it is important to be able to communicate than they do when they are thinking and worrying about what will come out of their mouths. Nice to hear that your colleague found his niche.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
Regarding Kevin's story. I worked in a teaching hospital back in the mid-80s; we had a medical resident with a severe speech impediment. There was much concern about when it came his turn to run a code how it badly it may go due to this impediment. Well, the time came he had to run the code - as he's rattling off orders everyone stood back in shock and realized he was not stuttering at all; he was unaware of this and was upset because no one was following his orders. After a successful code everyone applauded him and told him that he never once stuttered. He was in awe; he went to a speech pathologist (again) and a psychiatrist and found the root of his impediment. He has not stuttered since. And now is the chief of medicine at that hospital and has been awarded numerous recognitions for teacher of the year in his time there; now going on 28 years.
Amanda,
Me, too! I'll bet you can look back over your teaching career and think of a student who succeeded - surprisingly. One who you would not have given much hope for. With or without a disability, the students who surprise us, remind us that those surprises are out there waiting.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
LaTavia,
That's a very encouraging story. It reminds us that nothing is set in stone and that students with disabilities have *A*biilities, too.
Dr. Jane Jarrow
