I Just Got ...
... an article published at the International Herald Tribune, a worldwide newspaper owned by the New York Times. I am very excited, to say the least!
Here is a link: Meanwhile: Learning to leave no child behind.
If you get a chance to read it, let me know what you think.
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P.S. As of 4 pm China time, it was number 8 on the ten most emailed articles list. Woo Hoo!
Wasn't aware of your blog here until I came across it randomly just now.
Very cool.
Keep up the good work!
If at all possible, I would have this kid evaluated and/or
diagnosed on what truly is his disablity. Maybe he is
medically dyslexic, or maybe he may have a lower form of
autism, or some other form of learning disbality. I dont want to play a medical doctor here (I am not), but I am just hinting
based on my observations of some kids who attend special
eductaion classes.
What does the school or his parents suggest anyway...?
I think Abe is onto something, evaluation is everything when
kids have disabilities of any kind. Even if therapy is not
affordable the parents can educate themselves about the
disability and help him out. The kid sounds like he is Autistic
or has sensory processing difficulty of some kind.
And this is from a mom of a differently abled child.
great topic of discussion, really makes one think.
you said: Setting firm discipline standards at the beginning of the teacher-class relationship is important.
TRUE! VERY TRUE!!! :)
You show great compassion through your writing and I know you LOVE what you're doing. TEACHERS are amazing. Truly amazing. My hats off to you! :)
I have a question: Have you received any feedback about describing this kid as: "a slightly overweight, pimple-faced boy"
I have to be honest, that would break my heart if I saw my son being described as such. I just wanted to let you know, if this comment hurt your feelings, I do apologize. :)
looking at the bigger picture, i can see how one can justify that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. especially when resources are scarce. but a voice inside my head says that there must be a better way...
A few things:
Those of you who mentioned having him tested to figure out how his mind works are on the right track except I think it is the parents that should do that. Also, I am sure the parent's have tried. The resources are simply not as available as they are, say, in the US.
Mamitu, he may be slightly autistic. I don't know. He always scores 100% on spelling tests. Always on the top when it comes to memorization. Reads well. Even with grammar, once he figures out the pattern, he is ok.
Tanyetta, spoken like the true mamma you are:) Of course, my feelings would have been hurt if someone described my child that way too. As a writer though, I was just describing exactly how I saw him the first time we met. He stood out because the other boys are all pretty lean.
Thanks all of you for reading and for letting me know your thoughts!
This kid really touched me in a couple of ways. One, the fact that he is pushing himself to learn just like the rest of the kids despite his condition, and two - and this is not intended to slight you in any way, so please do not take it in the wrong way, but he is saying do your job and teach me! He is saying that a teacher's job is to teach me! So please teach me.
My question is, isn't there some kind of a gov't program or something in China where they put kids like him in a separate class? I know that there are some schools here in the US where the govt provides special schools for kids with Down syndrome and other mental conditions.
Anyway, you are a great example to the rest of us and I hope you will get the support to pull this guy through. Great job!
And yes, this kid's comment reached deep into my heart too. I actually felt physical pain when the other student translated what he said to me. And later, when I told my husband the story, I cried. He was reminding me that it is my job to teach him... he was begging me not to skip him.
It was one of those moments in life that can never really be forgotten.
I am glad I wrote about it.
I'm very touched by this 'meskin' boy,
and congra. to u for the post on
Inter..herald tribune.
Thank you for posting the link.
I will go back and read it more slowly when time permits, and I expect that I will gain even more from it the second time around.
In the meantime, I wish you continued success as a mother, as a teacher, as a wife, as a woman.....what a classroom life is!