this is worth a read...I would love to teach, but_

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/12/31/i-would-love-to-teach-but/

Comments on field trip posts

Thank you to everyone who attended Barb's presentation and for your thoughtful responses. I'm glad it was a good experience for you and sparked your thinking about neuro-diversity and what that means. Facilitated communication is seen as controversial by some people. Isn't it interesting that FC isn't controversial for those who use it as a method of communication? Barb's wisdom is that we be authentic and I have no doubt that you all are (or will be) authentic teachers who "teach from the heart to the heart."

Field Trip

One of the first things that intrigued me about Barb and Louis was their ability to work together and understand each other. You could tell it was a mutual effort, and I was especially impressed with Louis’ patience and genuine companionship she had built with Barb. Barb was a highly intelligent woman, who had very insightful comments to make. It was very encouraging to see how she overcame a hardship in her life, and wants nothing more than to help others.

One thing that surprised me the most about the lecture was that it was geared towards future teachers. I am not sure why I thought this, but I had assumed it was going to be more about Barb’s story and her experience, but instead she was using those experiences to reach teachers and encourage them to be aware of students with autism.

One of my favorite discussion points that Barb brought up was, “teachers please embrace your power to be…” I thought it was really neat when Louis had us “meditate” on who we are at our best selves, and the one word that defines us. I really appreciated her point about taking that quality we poses and using it to uplift our students.  

In conclusion, the points made that really stood out to me were to be authentic, and intentional with your students. For me, I genuinely believe that it takes compassion and a love for people to be a teacher. More than that it is important to be open and flexible with every student I have and remember to be patient and understanding, just like Barb and Louis. 

Barb and Lois Presentation

Before go to Barb and Lois’s presentation, I spent some time watching the suggested videos.  They were so interested that I spend some more time watching others videos that were able in YouTube.  Autism is a “phenomenon” that has always causes me curiosity and a lot of question, like many other people, I guess.  I went to the presentation thinking I would like to ask questions to Barb and Lois, about what if her hobby, how is she feeling living by herself, etc.  But when Lois set time for questions I was speechless.  After reflecting about my reaction, I think what most affected me was her answer about why the relationship with her brother is broken.  I never expect to have clearer respond to a question like that.  Most of the time we are unclear on answering questions like that one, but she wasn’t.  She does not care about diplomacy, she was clear and honest.  It was like getting the honest answer of a question from a 3 year old kid with the maturity of an adult.  It was definitely amazing!  I have no idea how many time I wish we were that honest.  Another comment that was touching was when they give us the idea that conversation is not needed to have a good communication.  I love it, because I totally agree.  I think not only people with autism can be annoying by other because of their talking or noise, many times we also are annoying by the same talk/noise, but many of us do not realize that.  Be with me does not mean we have to talk… just walk next to me.  Finally, my phrase that stays with me was when Barb said something like… I have had a lot of time in silence and that allow her to think.  Certainly, we have to be more silence.,,  Beside, the message that Barb and Lois leave to us on being open, receptive, generous, compressive, and just being the person we are with our student is perhaps the best suggestion a teacher could have.  After Barb’s experience with her teachers and receiving her message, we have to think twice the actions and comments we make to our students, because it can affect them more than we expect.  Barb and Lois’ talk was a very unique and interesting presentation.

Very interesting talk... Check the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-xgdqNtcDI

Field Trip

What surprised you?

I think the main thing that surprised me about Barb is her sense of humor. I know that is a silly thing to be surprised by, but listening to her crack jokes and even her use of sarcasm was something that I did not expect at all. I really enjoyed watching Lois and Barb work together and felt really inspired. Just the thought of Barb taking the time to communicate and share her gift with us was really wonderful. Although I have heard about FC plenty of times in class and have seen a few examples, watching Barb use the iPad and the printed keyboard (at least I think it was a printed keyboard) was really eye-opening. I cannot imagine the patience it must require to communicate a simple thought, much less an entire book. I have been in classrooms with students who were non-verbal but have yet to be in a class where a student uses FC for full trains of thoughts. 

What did you find beneficial to apply to your own teaching context? 

The entire concept of ‘neurodiversity’ Barb discussed really stuck with me. Not only just neurodiversity but diversity in general. I know I will encounter all different types of children and Barb reminded us that it is important to appreciate those different from us. Barb’s reminder of our potential to be ‘the one’ for students really stuck with me as well. I kept thinking about how different her experience with school would have been had she just been introduced to ‘that one’ teacher much earlier in life.

 What concerned you or contradicted your assumptions?

As I said before, Barb’s humor was not something that I expected. I know it sounds silly, but it just reminded me that she is just like anyone else. She has her own sense of humor, her own goals, aspirations, and her own challenges.

Feild Trip

1) What sprised you?

I was surprised by the fact that Bard can communicate so will an has a wonderful sense of humor.


2) What did you find beneficial to apply to your own teaching context?

The fact that a person with such a major learning disability can learn so much shows me that I can reach students with a learning disability in my class.

3) What concerned you or contradicted your assumptions?

I assumed that I would not be able to communicate with Barb and was surprised that she understood questions questions that I asked and was able to answer them.

Field Trip Reflction

Field Trip:  Barb and Lois Q&A

Attended:  12-4-2013

The one thing that I have been consistently considering from Barb’s talk is the idea of being “that one teacher” for my students.  I am wondering about the inverse ratio.  In other words, for my students – do I am aim to be that one for them all?  Or, do I am aim to find those that need “that one” and then be “that one”? Also, how does all of this fit in with the idea of each of us being authentic?

Part of my concern is that I naturally, in the classroom and perhaps overall in life, may come off as harsh to my students.  Therefore, maybe I give off a vibe that I do not like, respect or appreciate them as people.  However, my authentic self truly does care about them, respect them, and expect big things of them.   

Along these same lines, I am reflecting on what I can be to be the teacher that changes the course for my students.   Obviously, Barb would say “be authentic” – but I am trying to consider how much I that I do now in actuality.    This is something I will have to continue to reflect on.