Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Deaf Oral Class: 100% math test + My disruptive behavior = Trash barrel
I was given an 100 % math test. I was very delighted and my self esteem was boosted! About an hour later, I misbehaved for some reasons which I don't remember. The teacher approached me with my graded math test and explained to me that my behavior is terrible. She wrote a huge "X" on that paper and threw it to the trash barrel. I cried hysterically and my self esteem suddenly plummeted! I look back and the teacher's approach was terrible to me and the rest of my classmates. I was taken out of that program and placed in a hearing school. I often felt I wasn't a good student growing up. I was reminded that I am intelligent and it has nothing to do with my behaviors in the classroom. I have never forgotten this incident with my terrible teacher.
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9 comments:
Hi Diane,
I remember you at Gally when you could not sign very well now look at you today wow it amazes me! You did get a good education at Gally! I dont know if you remember me but you would remember my sister as she was in your class of 89, I am member of class of 88 Good job on your video. Yeah kind of sad how education back then treats deaf students. There are still some parts of the country in US that is still that way especially in rural areas where many deaf kids are isolated and do not have education that they need.
I know what you are saying!
Your story reminds me of a dorm staff member that we had long ago, and because this one girl cried easily, the dorm mother made the girl wear diapers and suck on a baby bottle, while the other girls laughed.
Thank goodness that this type of punishment is no longer allowed in schools, dorms, etc. Everything is much more structured nowdays so that the children, hopefully, can hang on to their self esteem!
Lantana
Ouch, that teacher marked "X" on your test came out "A" that you were so happy with high proud since your behavior were terrible. That teacher was WRONG, she should NOT have mark "X" on that test, it should be separate between an excellent grade test & your bad behavior. She should have to deal with your behavior to discuss with you to be solve first. Test should remain good as count period. Some schools have a policy if their students' behavior or trouble COULD pull your grade DOWN, it will hurt your grade. But your situation was nothing as serious so she should have discuss with you to be solve your behavior or give you a warning like that.
Anyway.. now look at yourself, you were doing great. Smile.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
OMG! That is terrible!!! That just threw me off what the teacher did to you. I'm sure NOWADAYS we would have reacted differently, not letting the teacher do this.
I agree with Susan, academic & behavior are 2 TOTAL different things. She should have discipline you in a different way! SO SORRY you had to go thru that, and glad your mom took you out of the school!!! :-)
This made me angry, because there are still many people like that teacher affecting our children negatively.
When children misbehave, this adult's first reaction is to punish the child to stop the behavior immediately. Too often the punishment is to grab the child's dearest posession (an achievement, self esteem, or a favorite object) and destroy it or threaten to destroy it. There is no communication other than the threat, no guidance or teaching.
Even some otherwise loving parents do this. People who don't have understanding how the mind of a child works, or understand the principle of natural consequences, need to be educated.
I really enjoy your stories. Perhaps it is the 80’s generation. :) I am hearing and I remember my teacher doing the exact same thing to me.
Dianez,
Yeah it reminded me of a situation where a hearing mother was planning for a birthday party for her daughter. One day her daughter started to act up badly, stood up against her mother for something that I don't know and all that. Know what? Her mother decided to cancel her birthday party! This girl naturally was devasated and her friends were upset because they had bought gifts and now they all felt that they were being punished by the mother.
There are more constructive ways in disciplining children than just taking things away and it makes things even more worse because this is what children remember for many years to come.
Diane, I am sorry it happened to you. I'm sure it was a huge blow to your self-esteem. Did you tell your mother about it?
Parents, we need to step in if it happens to our children, complain to the principal or teacher and put a stop to this kind of thing. Children also need to feel safe and share things like this to their parents.
Diane, I can feel the pain you had suffered from your teacher. If your teacher is still there, report to the school board so they would fire or charge her for abusing you. It is not too late for you to file a complaint. There were some alumni who sued some residential schools for the deaf where teachers abused them 20, 30 years ago. I hope you have somehow regained your self-esteem.
Smile.
WOW.. A powerful story.. I feel you. I was there. Really hurt my self confidence as well. I had to build it all over.
I would love to have you in my documentary film and share your experience about this. Please e mail me at Deaffilmmaker@gmail.com.
Aidan
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