Train the Trainer, Please! - Page 2

jillio · 06-20-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

Hi I am going to take Reba's advice. Advice is what I need right now. I would never lump anyone into anything. I don't think I said that and if I did I am truly sorry because I don't feel or think that way. I would only work with students who have some kind of learning problem such as trouble reading at their present level and then I could modify the learning in many ways.
I have witnessed the struggles that parents go thru trying to work together with teachers and administrators. It is not always a win win situation and I feel it should always be 100%. I would love to be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem. What do you see as some of the major issues surrounding trying to educate the students who are deaf?

Not providing proper services. For instance, as shel mentioned, it is assumed in the public school system, that an HOH child that speaks well, has receptive language skills comparable to their expressive skills. Please don't ever fall into that trap. Most oral HOH still need sign terps in the classroom.

Not providing certified terps. I have personally seen situations where they will take someone not certified, straight out of a 2 year interpreting program, and stick them in the classroom. Their skills are not sufficient to interpret educational material with the assurance that the student is getting all of the information.

Assumptions that all the HOH child needs is to wear their hearing aid and sit in front of the classroom where they can see the teacher, and they will be able to speachread what they cannot hear through their aids. This is very, very wrong. The classroom does not provide an environment that is conducive to speechreading. Very, very seldom will a child be able to gain sufficient information through the use of a hearing aid alone.

Issues such as lighting and visual fields need to be addressed.

Assuming that simplifying the material will achieve the desired goal. It is often not simplification that the deaf or hh child needs, but an interpretation or rephrasing of the material that would put it into a spatial reference rather than the linear reference provided by English.

I'll stop with that so I don't appear to overwhelm you. And just so you'll know that I'm not just throwing things out at random, I have a master's degree and am currently working on my doctorate in counseling. I currently work in Instituional Equity at the university where I am enrolled providing accommodations and tracking students with disabilites. Sometimes, when you are asking for advise, it helps to know the credentials of those offering it.

shel90 · 06-20-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

Not providing proper services. For instance, as shel mentioned, it is assumed in the public school system, that an HOH child that speaks well, has receptive language skills comparable to their expressive skills. Please don't ever fall into that trap. Most oral HOH still need sign terps in the classroom.

Not providing certified terps. I have personally seen situations where they will take someone not certified, straight out of a 2 year interpreting program, and stick them in the classroom. Their skills are not sufficient to interpret educational material with the assurance that the student is getting all of the information.

Assumptions that all the HOH child needs is to wear their hearing aid and sit in front of the classroom where they can see the teacher, and they will be able to speachread what they cannot hear through their aids. This is very, very wrong. The classroom does not provide an environment that is conducive to speechreading. Very, very seldom will a child be able to gain sufficient information through the use of a hearing aid alone.

Issues such as lighting and visual fields need to be addressed.

Assuming that simplifying the material will achieve the desired goal. It is often not simplification that the deaf or hh child needs, but an interpretation or rephrasing of the material that would put it into a spatial reference rather than the linear reference provided by English.

I'll stop with that so I don't appear to overwhelm you. And just so you'll know that I'm not just throwing things out at random, I have a master's degree and am currently working on my doctorate in counseling. I currently work in Instituional Equity at the university where I am enrolled providing accommodations and tracking students with disabilites. Sometimes, when you are asking for advise, it helps to know the credentials of those offering it.

I used to be a teacher's aide for a public school working in the deaf/hoh program. Oh my gosh, most of the terps signing skills were less than adequate and I could see in the class that the more complex information became so confusing for the students. Also, the regular ed teachers assumed that the terps were responsible for disciplining the children if they werent staying on task, paying attention or whatever they werent supposed to be doing and the roles got very confusing for the children so everyone ended up more frustrated. The terps roles are to interpret not act like an aide if the job description doesnt include aide duties.

jillio · 06-21-2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

I used to be a teacher's aide for a public school working in the deaf/hoh program. Oh my gosh, most of the terps signing skills were less than adequate and I could see in the class that the more complex information became so confusing for the students. Also, the regular ed teachers assumed that the terps were responsible for disciplining the children if they werent staying on task, paying attention or whatever they werent supposed to be doing and the roles got very confusing for the children so everyone ended up more frustrated. The terps roles are to interpret not act like an aide if the job description doesnt include aide duties.

I know what you mean. Before my son was transferered to a deaf school, he had a terp. In the second grade, his terp was so intrusive that he told her--"You not mommy, you not teacher!" She wanted him disciplined for smarting off to her. I told her he was right. She was there to interpret, not to direct and discipline.

shel90 · 06-21-2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

I know what you mean. Before my son was transferered to a deaf school, he had a terp. In the second grade, his terp was so intrusive that he told her--"You not mommy, you not teacher!" She wanted him disciplined for smarting off to her. I told her he was right. She was there to interpret, not to direct and discipline.

At least your son knew the terp's role...many of the students at that program didnt know. It was the terps that were uncomfortable being put in that role and ended up having spats with the regular ed teachers. As a result, a lot of endless and unecessary meetings were called with the principal to solve all the conflicts. That principal had no clue how to run a deaf ed program. It was a mess and I really hope that program either improved or just stopped. These kids were not getting quality education at all. Drove me nuts cuz I would make suggestions but because I didnt have any formal education in the field of deaf education, the other staff didnt take me seriously. They should have recognized that I am deaf myself and valued my opinion regardless of what formal training I had or didnt have.

Silentwolfdog · 06-22-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

What made public school better? and you said that you had a good teacher that helped you in math. Did the other teachers NOT help you? and do you think you would have had a different outlook on school if they did. stupid question strike that one WHat would you have changed to make the classes more exciting?

Public school is better because they taught me in a normal and appropriate pace.

However, both school did have teachers that will help you if you request for one.

Just the problem I had was that other teachers (at deaf school) I had did not teach what they should have. I mean we had lessons in math for like 15 minutes then rest of 30 minutes we just...played cards. I mean come on...this is stupid. Card games does not teach you algebra, geo, etc. AND that certainly won't help you on state test nor even at college level.

Also, deaf school teachers would listen to the students, if students does not want to do homework or work hard, then they will give them less and as result of that, I suffered. Public school don't do stuff like that.

Deaf school was too easy (they set standard frakin' way too low for deaf students. It's almost like they made an excuse, just because deaf students did not have a good start, then they are doomed forever or something. I know that's not always true.)

Deaf school is always...boring because I knew I will learn nothing when I am there. Not all deaf schools are good.

I don't know how to make class exciting...I just assumed that classes aren't supposed to be that exciting after all (even college isn't that exciting lol)...However, when I remember times I was excited was when teachers (at public school and deaf school) would bring visual projects to share with the class. That is a nice break from all oral lectures.
Maybe that's one thing you can do, especially with deaf students. I would think anything visual is almost always beneficial to deaf students (teachers of deaf students please correct this if I am wrong).

Sorry for a long post. Hope this clear up things as of why I think public school was better for me than deaf school. Did I answer your questions? Let me know if I went off the course.

Skywalker · 06-22-2007, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugarpuff

Shel90, I came from deaf campus, and I complained so many times that I need to learn the proper english. The teachers didn't teach me and my old classmates, and we were struggling to grasp the meanings.

Sugarpuff, What did they teach? and why do you think they wouldn't teach proper english?

jillio · 06-22-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

At least your son knew the terp's role...many of the students at that program didnt know. It was the terps that were uncomfortable being put in that role and ended up having spats with the regular ed teachers. As a result, a lot of endless and unecessary meetings were called with the principal to solve all the conflicts. That principal had no clue how to run a deaf ed program. It was a mess and I really hope that program either improved or just stopped. These kids were not getting quality education at all. Drove me nuts cuz I would make suggestions but because I didnt have any formal education in the field of deaf education, the other staff didnt take me seriously. They should have recognized that I am deaf myself and valued my opinion regardless of what formal training I had or didnt have.

Absolutely. I encountered the same situation in the mainstream situation with my husband. And I believe the situation occurred with my son because the clasroom teacher had never had a deaf student, and expected the terp to function as an aide. And, yep, my kid has always been hard headed and out spoken!

Skywalker · 06-23-2007, 03:21 AM

[quote=jillio;793862]

Assumptions that all the HOH child needs is to wear their hearing aid and sit in front of the classroom where they can see the teacher, and they will be able to speachread what they cannot hear through their aids. This is very, very wrong. The classroom does not provide an environment that is conducive to speechreading. Very, very seldom will a child be able to gain sufficient information through the use of a hearing aid alone.

Issues such as lighting and visual fields need to be addressed.

Assuming that simplifying the material will achieve the desired goal. It is often not simplification that the deaf or hh child needs, but an interpretation or rephrasing of the material that would put it into a spatial reference rather than the linear reference provided by English.

Wow! I am not overwhelmed. after reading what everyone has been saying I really see these things as pure frustration. I cannot imagine. WHy do you suppose this stuff has never been addressed,by our education system? Is there no one listening? or are we just to lazy to make the hard necessary changes? It's not as if we have working system. Changes need to be made across the board.

Skywalker · 06-23-2007, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silentwolfdog

I don't know how to make class exciting...I just assumed that classes aren't supposed to be that exciting after all (even college isn't that exciting lol)...However, when I remember times I was excited was when teachers (at public school and deaf school) would bring visual projects to share with the class. That is a nice break from all oral lectures.
Maybe that's one thing you can do, especially with deaf students. I would think anything visual is almost always beneficial to deaf students (teachers of deaf students please correct this if I am wrong).

Sorry for a long post. Hope this clear up things as of why I think public school was better for me than deaf school. Did I answer your questions? Let me know if I went off the course.

You didn't go off course. What you say is great but I am sad. Don't get me wrong I hated high school and did not do well (not because I was bored but because I was stoned. I went to HS in the 70's). I just think teachers can put a little more effort into reaching the kids. WHat classes are you taking in college?

Skywalker · 06-23-2007, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

At least your son knew the terp's role...many of the students at that program didnt know. It was the terps that were uncomfortable being put in that role and ended up having spats with the regular ed teachers. As a result, a lot of endless and unecessary meetings were called with the principal to solve all the conflicts. That principal had no clue how to run a deaf ed program. It was a mess and I really hope that program either improved or just stopped. These kids were not getting quality education at all. Drove me nuts cuz I would make suggestions but because I didnt have any formal education in the field of deaf education, the other staff didnt take me seriously. They should have recognized that I am deaf myself and valued my opinion regardless of what formal training I had or didnt have.

I have been reading how angry deaf people are at we who hear...and no wonder when you guys are treated like you are not there. I can under stand why there is so much hatred toward the hearing because of their ignorance and just plain meaness but why is there so much anger within the deaf community toward each other? ie CI's, ASL verses Speaking, deaf school vs public school. I can somewhat relate because i was married to a black man(divorced after 20 years). I have 3 beautiful kids who are sometimes ostracized by the black community because they are not black enough and then of course they are not always accepted into the white community because they don't look white. As a young mother I was not prepared for the racism the world had to offer my kids.

shel90 · 06-23-2007, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

I have been reading how angry deaf people are at we who hear...and no wonder when you guys are treated like you are not there. I can under stand why there is so much hatred toward the hearing because of their ignorance and just plain meaness but why is there so much anger within the deaf community toward each other? ie CI's, ASL verses Speaking, deaf school vs public school. I can somewhat relate because i was married to a black man(divorced after 20 years). I have 3 beautiful kids who are sometimes ostracized by the black community because they are not black enough and then of course they are not always accepted into the white community because they don't look white. As a young mother I was not prepared for the racism the world had to offer my kids.

With my friends and co workers, nobody really cares who has a CI, who went to what school or whatever. As long as we respect each other's upbringing or wishes, we get along pretty good. Maybe it is cuz I live in MD and people in the Deaf community are more open minded there. I am sure there are a few that hate others simply because they got a CI or they grew up orally. I faced that discrimination when I first went to Gallaudet cuz of my oral upbringing but I told them off and they realized they were wrong to judge me or others. Most of my friends are deaf/hoh who grew up orally and now use ASL as their primary source of communication.

I met a deaf guy in a store a few months ago who didnt know sign. He saw that I was signing and came up to me asking me questions..I was patient with him answering his questions about CI cuz he wanted to get one due to not being able to understand anyone. I asked him about learning sign language and he was like "Oh I dont need to learn sign cuz the CI will make me hearing." It is that kind of attitude that I get turned off by. I told him good luck and that it was nice to meet him. It was VERY hard not to sign to him cuz he had trouble reading my lips. I also couldnt understand him very well too so without signing, smooth communication became very difficult for both of us.

I dont know about the Deaf communities in the other states if they discriminate against each other but I dont think most people do that..just a few.

Your kids are faced with discrimination? My son is mixed cuz my husband is black and I am white so I am hoping he wont face the same kind of discrimination here in MD.

shel90 · 06-23-2007, 07:53 AM

[quote=Skywalker;795277]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillio

Assumptions that all the HOH child needs is to wear their hearing aid and sit in front of the classroom where they can see the teacher, and they will be able to speachread what they cannot hear through their aids. This is very, very wrong. The classroom does not provide an environment that is conducive to speechreading. Very, very seldom will a child be able to gain sufficient information through the use of a hearing aid alone.

Issues such as lighting and visual fields need to be addressed.

Assuming that simplifying the material will achieve the desired goal. It is often not simplification that the deaf or hh child needs, but an interpretation or rephrasing of the material that would put it into a spatial reference rather than the linear reference provided by English.

Wow! I am not overwhelmed. after reading what everyone has been saying I really see these things as pure frustration. I cannot imagine. WHy do you suppose this stuff has never been addressed,by our education system? Is there no one listening? or are we just to lazy to make the hard necessary changes? It's not as if we have working system. Changes need to be made across the board.

Because most of the directors who run the special ed programs are not really properly trained in the field of deaf education. I got my BA degree in Special Ed and there was pratically nothing about how to work with deaf/hoh children during my studies. I was shocked cuz I expected to learn more about it but I learned more about MR, behavior programs, ADDHD, and LD. Not much about deaf or blind education. I think that's why the deaf ed programs in many public schools are so poorly managed unless they have a director who had intensive training in Deaf Ed.

pek1 · 06-23-2007, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

Why do you suppose this stuff has never been addressed by our education system? Is there no one listening? Or are we just too lazy to make the hard necessary changes? It's not as if we have working system. Changes need to be made across the board.

shel said it best, but you also have to understand that most of the administrators that are not retired yet have passed their bias' to their proteges' against deaf and hoh students. Deaf and Dumb doesn't fly anymore, except in a courtroom where the defendant who said it is getting their pants sued off them, not to mention their school district. I said that because as soon as I'm done with my undergrad work, it's off to law school. I will be more than happy to represent students who are not being served by their schools.

It's going to take more than changes. I was very disturbed by what she said that other teachers weren't taking her serious and (my words here) treated her like an idiot and that she didn't know what she was talking about.

In my high school, a woman who was in charge of special education over ruled the student support services lady that same year and the next school year, the special ed woman was in charge of everything. I couldn't get around her and preferred the woman who took care of student support, as I always could get help from her.

Pardon this next part if it offends, but it needs to be addressed. Perhaps if teachers and personnel in schools would dress professionally (ties and jackets for the guys, dresses or pantsuits for the women), there would be better functioning in the schools. Let's also kick it up a notch and say that all teachers and paraprofessionals need to know about deaf students instead of looking at the list every year before school starts and choosing the top students for themselves and letting the rookie teachers have the least wanted. I am not implying that deaf/hoh students are not desired, but I am implying that teachers need to be educated. If they don't educate and kids are sitting around playing cards all day, they are not doing their job.

gnarlydorkette · 06-24-2007, 03:20 AM

In Middle and High Schools, What were your hardest classes? and Why?
Math were my worst subjects. Why? I wasn't prepared to take on Honors Math class in 7th grade. 7th grade was my first year to be fully mainstreamed; the teacher weren't paying attention to me so I got lost in a 30+ students classroom (prior to 7th grade, I was accustomed to 10 to 12 students per classroom).

What would have made them better?
Smaller classes. It doesn't mean for deaf, but for HEARING students too.. I am sure many hearing students got lost too because of the size of classroom where the teacher cannot give individual attention and make sure everybody is on the same page.

What were your favorite classes? Why?
Not sure. Pretty much everything else.

Silentwolfdog · 06-24-2007, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

You didn't go off course. What you say is great but I am sad. Don't get me wrong I hated high school and did not do well (not because I was bored but because I was stoned. I went to HS in the 70's). I just think teachers can put a little more effort into reaching the kids. WHat classes are you taking in college?

I am in college for about 4 years now. So, I have took many different classes, such as liberal arts course and classes for social work. If you still want a list of classes I took, I don't mind send you one through PM.

jillio · 06-25-2007, 09:11 PM

[quote=shel90;795308]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

Because most of the directors who run the special ed programs are not really properly trained in the field of deaf education. I got my BA degree in Special Ed and there was pratically nothing about how to work with deaf/hoh children during my studies. I was shocked cuz I expected to learn more about it but I learned more about MR, behavior programs, ADDHD, and LD. Not much about deaf or blind education. I think that's why the deaf ed programs in many public schools are so poorly managed unless they have a director who had intensive training in Deaf Ed.

Absolutely!

Skywalker · 06-27-2007, 11:41 PM

Your kids are faced with discrimination? My son is mixed cuz my husband is black and I am white so I am hoping he wont face the same kind of discrimination here in MD.
__________________
Shel90

My kids are discriminated against and it kills me. It's like you can do just about anything to me and I will be sad but I just shrug it off but when you mess with my kids watch out mama bear comes out fighting. I told them when they were little that some people are real butt heads and they have run into a few but like you they have sosme real good friends that love them for who they are not what they look like.

Skywalker · 06-27-2007, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pek1

shel said it best, but you also have to understand that most of the administrators that are not retired yet have passed their bias' to their proteges' against deaf and hoh students. Deaf and Dumb doesn't fly anymore, except in a courtroom where the defendant who said it is getting their pants sued off them, not to mention their school district. I said that because as soon as I'm done with my undergrad work, it's off to law school. I will be more than happy to represent students who are not being served by their schools.

It's going to take more than changes. I was very disturbed by what she said that other teachers weren't taking her serious and (my words here) treated her like an idiot and that she didn't know what she was talking about.

In my high school, a woman who was in charge of special education over ruled the student support services lady that same year and the next school year, the special ed woman was in charge of everything. I couldn't get around her and preferred the woman who took care of student support, as I always could get help from her.

Pardon this next part if it offends, but it needs to be addressed. Perhaps if teachers and personnel in schools would dress professionally (ties and jackets for the guys, dresses or pantsuits for the women), there would be better functioning in the schools. Let's also kick it up a notch and say that all teachers and paraprofessionals need to know about deaf students instead of looking at the list every year before school starts and choosing the top students for themselves and letting the rookie teachers have the least wanted. I am not implying that deaf/hoh students are not desired, but I am implying that teachers need to be educated. If they don't educate and kids are sitting around playing cards all day, they are not doing their job.

I agree with you Pete about teachers need to do their job. period the end. Quit bitching about not makeing enough money and how hard it is to teach the youth today. I am sick of hearing it. I was a problem kid. I always got in trouble and hardly ever came to school cuz I hated the teachers. I think this is why I am so hell bent on doing iit right. I its really not hard if you treat the kids with respect. I have not had a problem yet. About the dressing more professional and how this will make a big difference...I have to disagree with you on that one. Respect comes from the inside to the outside. Dressing up the outside will do nothing about the inside of peoples hearts. Didn't you mom ever warn you "Beware of the wolf in sheep's clothing"

Skywalker · 06-27-2007, 11:56 PM

[quote=shel90;795308]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

Because most of the directors who run the special ed programs are not really properly trained in the field of deaf education. I got my BA degree in Special Ed and there was pratically nothing about how to work with deaf/hoh children during my studies. I was shocked cuz I expected to learn more about it but I learned more about MR, behavior programs, ADDHD, and LD. Not much about deaf or blind education. I think that's why the deaf ed programs in many public schools are so poorly managed unless they have a director who had intensive training in Deaf Ed.

I would like to see this change. I was reading a book called "all eyes" and the girl really does a good job of explaining why she had such a hard time learning the english language. If more people like her were teaching more people like me we could really make a difference.

Skywalker · 06-28-2007, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnarlydorkette

In Middle and High Schools, What were your hardest classes? and Why?
Math were my worst subjects. Why? I wasn't prepared to take on Honors Math class in 7th grade. 7th grade was my first year to be fully mainstreamed; the teacher weren't paying attention to me so I got lost in a 30+ students classroom (prior to 7th grade, I was accustomed to 10 to 12 students per classroom).

What would have made them better?
Smaller classes. It doesn't mean for deaf, but for HEARING students too.. I am sure many hearing students got lost too because of the size of classroom where the teacher cannot give individual attention and make sure everybody is on the same page.

What were your favorite classes? Why?
Not sure. Pretty much everything else.

Thanks for answering. I agree about the smaller classes. I tutor kids sometimes one on one or two on one and man it makes a huge difference in how the student responds to the lessons. I realize we will never get class size that small but over 16 students in one class is too much for one teacher. Maybe if they put two teachers together it could work but there is just not enough teachers to do that. Have you ever thought about teaching?

Linmarie · 06-28-2007, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

Your kids are faced with discrimination? My son is mixed cuz my husband is black and I am white so I am hoping he wont face the same kind of discrimination here in MD.
__________________
Shel90

My kids are discriminated against and it kills me. It's like you can do just about anything to me and I will be sad but I just shrug it off but when you mess with my kids watch out mama bear comes out fighting. I told them when they were little that some people are real butt heads and they have run into a few but like you they have sosme real good friends that love them for who they are not what they look like.

Not quite on the subject, but I (hearing) am also in training to be an Intervention Specialist and following the discussion. Great advice for us novices. Shel and Skywalker, I have 3 mixed race children B/W also, (2 grown, 1 at home) and can only remember one or two incidents of significant discrimination, and they handled them with class. Mostly, the've been loved, accepted, one was H. S. class president, etc, grounded in respecting others and knowing who they are, and for our family covered by Grace. So, Shel, if I may offer this, don't spend too much time worrying about this...you sound very grounded too and I'm sure this will be transferred to your child.

pek1 · 07-05-2007, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skywalker

About the dressing more professional and how this will make a big difference...I have to disagree with you on that one. Respect comes from the inside to the outside. Dressing up the outside will do nothing about the inside of peoples hearts. Didn't your mom ever warn you "Beware of the wolf in sheep's clothing?"

Yes, however, would you have respect for your doctor if he/she dressed in clothes not fitting for a doctor? What about an attorney that is in court? Protocol, Skywalker, Protocol.

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06-23-2007, 03:21 AM	#38 (permalink)
Skywalker Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 21	[quote=jillio;793862] Assumptions that all the HOH child needs is to wear their hearing aid and sit in front of the classroom where they can see the teacher, and they will be able to speachread what they cannot hear through their aids. This is very, very wrong. The classroom does not provide an environment that is conducive to speechreading. Very, very seldom will a child be able to gain sufficient information through the use of a hearing aid alone. Issues such as lighting and visual fields need to be addressed. Assuming that simplifying the material will achieve the desired goal. It is often not simplification that the deaf or hh child needs, but an interpretation or rephrasing of the material that would put it into a spatial reference rather than the linear reference provided by English. Wow! I am not overwhelmed. after reading what everyone has been saying I really see these things as pure frustration. I cannot imagine. WHy do you suppose this stuff has never been addressed,by our education system? Is there no one listening? or are we just to lazy to make the hard necessary changes? It's not as if we have working system. Changes need to be made across the board.

06-24-2007, 03:20 AM	#44 (permalink)
gnarlydorkette is leaving for good. Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Sunny Diego in Califunny Posts: 1,764	In Middle and High Schools, What were your hardest classes? and Why? Math were my worst subjects. Why? I wasn't prepared to take on Honors Math class in 7th grade. 7th grade was my first year to be fully mainstreamed; the teacher weren't paying attention to me so I got lost in a 30+ students classroom (prior to 7th grade, I was accustomed to 10 to 12 students per classroom). What would have made them better? Smaller classes. It doesn't mean for deaf, but for HEARING students too.. I am sure many hearing students got lost too because of the size of classroom where the teacher cannot give individual attention and make sure everybody is on the same page. What were your favorite classes? Why? Not sure. Pretty much everything else.

06-27-2007, 11:41 PM	#47 (permalink)
Skywalker Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 21	Your kids are faced with discrimination? My son is mixed cuz my husband is black and I am white so I am hoping he wont face the same kind of discrimination here in MD. __________________ Shel90 My kids are discriminated against and it kills me. It's like you can do just about anything to me and I will be sad but I just shrug it off but when you mess with my kids watch out mama bear comes out fighting. I told them when they were little that some people are real butt heads and they have run into a few but like you they have sosme real good friends that love them for who they are not what they look like.