Tuesday, April 17, 2012

I believe...


               I believe education should be devoted to teaching persons of all learning and physical diversities. I believe this because it is important not only as a teacher, but also as a growing learner, that we can all learn. Some persons need no help learning on their own, and some persons need extra special help in order to learn, even a small amount. Even though some people may take longer to teach than others, I know that I will be willing to put forth the effort and time in order to reach the learners who are willing to try.

                 My first interaction among students was through teaching small groups of younger and older individuals in my father’s karate dojo. When I had first become a green belt, which is considered a ‘novice’ to some people within the karate world, I was already trying to help others around me learn what I had already knew. It was fun and easy teaching my peers and friends how to fight and do wazas, and sparring. It took a lot of patience, but once I found out the groove that was best for my learner, I was able to teach them. I loved leading in most of the activities and lessons in the karate class, but where I learned my true passion was among CCD students.

               I remember being told that I would be working at a church, with students who were getting prepared to receive their first holy communion. I thought I would be frustrated dealing with students in a subject that I was not sure that I could even teach. As I’ve learned over time, I know that everyone has their own views on different life lessons, from algebra to religion, and even with Karate. I also learned, that no matter what a learner or student or even a teacher believes, they have that right, and I could or wouldn’t affect their own opinions and viewpoints.



                However, once I was lectured about course material and what I would be preparing the third grade CCD students in, I felt more at ease stepping into the classroom. Finally, when my time to meet the students was upon me, I was told at the last minute that I would be instructing a ‘unique’ classroom. There were two children who had autism, one child who was a paraplegic, and three students who were considered by the other teachers of the school ‘normal.’ I had never worked in an inclusive classroom, and although this was not considered an inclusive classroom, I was still teaching these kids.

                When I had first met these students, I was worried at first, having made one of the children with autism cry due to not giving him Oreos when he wanted them. Once I was used to the class, and worked alongside them for the rest of the year, I grew to enjoy it. I loved learning about their lives, and how they learned, what they enjoyed and what they thought about things within their world. I wanted this to be a continuing feeling, something that I would be able to do for the rest of my life. I want to work with those extra special children, and I want to learn about them. I believe I taught those children, and they for sure taught me, and this is why I believe that as teachers and as a learner, I should be devoted to teaching, no matter the learning or physical diversity.

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