Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!260!204!Ann.Parsons
From: Ann.Parsons@f204.n260.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Parsons)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: SHOULD I TRY TO TEACH?
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Date: 22 Feb 90 21:36:47 GMT
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Index Number: 6909

In a message to Clifford A. Stevens Jr. Vixen writes the following. I quote 
most of it because her comments mirror mine.
<" 
<"Hi,
<" 
<"Clifford, I "think" for you to decide not to teach because you 
<"have a handicap is just plain wrong, if you really want to teach!
<" 
<"I think those people who tell you that you shouldn't teach because 
<"the children "might" not be able to get over or by your handicap 
<"is along the same line as saying "Children should be kept away 
<"from handicapped people!" What would be next, removing handicapped 
<"people from general society so children and sensitive abled adults 
<"do not have to "see us!"  
<"I have known a number of disABLED teachers who are happy with what 
<"they are doing. I say go for it, the above thinking is terrible!
<" 
<"As for my personal life regarding children and my disabilities. I 
<"have found children to be curious, refreshingly honest and even 
<"innocent when they have said something that might be considered 
<"rude! Children are children! If you want to teach, then go for it, 
<"the place for disABLED people is "in" society not "Out" of it! 
<"Much luck!  
<"Keepin' the faith!

Clifford,

I can't add much to this except to say if you can overcome those sticky 
matters that you have to compensate for when you have a disability, then do 
it. If you are blind, get the materials brailled, take extra classes in 
Classroom management. If you are in a wheelchair, then, make sure the place is 
accessible and roll right ahead! If you are deaf, well, communicate in 
whatever way you can with the kids. Teach 'em sign if you have to do so.

Can you write curriculum? Can you plan lessons? Can you teach material in an 
organized way so that the students will understand it? Do you like kids? Can 
you discipline them? Can you work well with colleagues? Can you grade papers 
fairly? Do you know your subject, as well as other related subjects? If the 
answer to all these is yes, then go to! 

First and foremost, believe in yourself and don't let anyone tell you you 
can't do something until you've tried it. That is, of course, within reason, I 
don't drive because I have been told I can't. I am blind. I believe them! 
<grin>

Take care and "Give 'em Hell Harry.".

Ann P.

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