Learning to Reach

Kevin Schoolfield
EVWP Summer 2009


I Remember…
The desperation of feeling out of my element
The desperation of trying to figure out how to communicate with Autism and Deafness
The desperation of working with a child who is living with both simoultaneously
The desperation of knowing a textbook could not have prepared me for this

I Remember…
Realizing that eating with a spoon instead of fingers can be an academic accomplishment
Realizing the disorder does not make the child
Realizing stubble on my chin can be a teaching tool if sensory stimulation and focused attention are the goals
Realizing how important it is to reach a child, not just teach a child

I Remember…
Feeling frustration alongside a child who can not get her point across
Feeling joy at the breakthrough of a smile
Feeling confusion when a repeated technique did not bring about a repeated result
Feeling anger at my inability to help

I Remember…
Seeing hope in the face of my mentor
Seeing pleasant surprise when I wanted to learn
Seeing a mess left behind what I thought was progress
Seeing her little face go blank in despair as she prepared to return home

I Remember…
Learning to love a child that was not my own
Learning to use actions instead of words to instruct and train
Learning that normal is a truly relative word
Learning that teaching is about so much more than grades and concepts

I Remember…