please understand teacher

She visited me that morning and asked me about the increasing number of MR students in her computer class. She is our computer teacher, she teaches the MR's to manipulate the computer.

"Ma'am, why do we add another two students in my class? I have already three and that's enough I cannot handle that number of MR students it's difficult" , she said. "Ma'am what shall I do, I cannot say no to parents. Aside from that, our school is the only institution for special children. If we will not accept them, then who will?" I answered her. That was the last conversation that we had, the MR's are still in her class and enjoying the privilege of using the computer units.

If I can only teach all the subjects and competencies that my special children have to learn, I will not bother other teachers. I know it is difficult because even I who has background knowledge on how to handle the special children is still having some difficulties in dealing with them. It might be difficult, yes, but the idea that they are special and that the level of their intelligence are not the same as us, that reality may change ones behavior and accept all the challenges of catering them and giving them the opportunity to learn.

Teacher's responsibility is really unique. If we can perform this effectively and efficiently we can see how lives may change because of us.
I am asking my fellow workers in this field, please be patient, please understand. Let us work hand in hand .

a test of patience

                  

                      PATIENCE

I am beginning to think things out, my ADHD ( Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder) student is now beginning to show his real self. My day is a bit difficult today. He tests my patience.


It was during the break time when I noticed that water coming from our kitchen was flowing, I then discovered that the water was coming from our water dispenser. I asked my MR if who have forgotten it. All of them were pointing to one person only.... to Carl my ADHD student, but he shouted and said NOOOOOOOOOO! 


Everybody looked at him. He laughed. I just thought  that he intentionally did it to catch attention. Mark my CP also became so unbecoming because of Carl. Carl always ask him to do something and provoke him to try everything. Carl will challenge my patience for sure. 


I decided to give him some behavior modification. I wish that this plan will work on him and will make him a better one.




~ alter ego

you were specially made

Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them. ~ Lady Bird
















" Mark, do you want to be a politician? " 

This was my question to Mark my CP (Cerebral Palsy) student one morning. He was so restless that day. He was walking, standing, roaming around when I caught his attention. He just smiled and ignored me. When I called his name again.... he said, "why ma'am?" I told him that I noticed him walking around like politician during campaign period. In my surprised, he laughed out loud and said, " I do not want to be a politician, they are liars." 

That incident made the day extra special. Why?... Special children are really unique. They have something uniquely, originally in them. It, again proved that though they are not mentally equal compared to most children, they still can observe, realize and conclude. We can say that what Mark uttered that morning was nothing to him. He might just said it unintentionally; he might have no basis; he might not have any acquaintances to any politician. He might forgot everything he said because in one way or another he's not aware of it. After we made a short conversation, he left me. He left me still wondering why he said that.
He joined with his other classmates and laughed together.

I observed them and smiled..... I opened my locker and got my journal for another anecdotal record. I wrote my observation that day. What I saw, what I felt, what I experienced . I kept my record with the details I wrote in it as I kept everything in my heart.

~ alter ego

the love from the heart

" I really wish I could tell you what I am thinking "










It was an ordinary morning in the classroom. I was busy cutting and pasting some stuff to decorate the newly painted room when my ID ( Intellectually Disabled this is how Mentally Retarded labeled nowadays) student approached and asked me this: Ma'am, bakit ba kami tinawag na special?  I was surprised a bit then abruptly returned composure and answered him with a smile. "Kasi you are normal children who need special attention". He smiled and asked me again.   "Ano yun ma'am?"    "Hahahahahaha... ang sabi ko kaya special kasi may mga bagay na kelangan nyo, kelangan iparamdam sa inyo, kelangan ituro sa inyo, kelangan ibigay sa inyo dahil kung wala ang mga ito    hmmmmm baka di nyo matutunan ang mga bagay na dapat nyo matutunan."    He smiled again and said,   " Ang haba naman ng paliwanag ma'am, siguro kaya kami tinawag na special kasi kulang-kulang kami".    Those words broke my heart.    I didn't know how to answer it; how would I react; what would I say. What I just remembered that time was the world momentarily stopped. I couldn't recall if I smiled or stared at him what I just knew was that this kid needed an answer and I needed to answer him. I needed to give him a clear definition of the word special; I needed to make him feel that he despite his disability is still loved by the people around him.

He did not wait for an answer. He left me and joined his other classmates who were at that time busy laughing and doing some activities. He left me and didn't even look back as if nothing bothered him. I just thought that maybe that question just struck his mind that after he asked he forgot about it. I just grabbed my notepad and wrote what had happened that day for the anecdotal record.

I was so restless. I can't imagine how their parents made them feel so loved. The acceptance stage for sure was the most difficult one, but the parents love their children so much. I wish I can tell these children what I feel, and can say the things they needed to hear.