I cannot begin to tell you how appreciative many of my students' parents are about the fact that I am hard of hearing. These parents have told me that they can see the potential in their own children in me. Some have said that they feel that I can understand what their children are going through better than most people.
A father once told me, "I don't mean to offend you, but I am so glad that you have a hearing loss. I think it has been a tremendous help that you have a better understanding of where my son is coming from than most people." Then he added, "I prefer that he is around more deaf and hard of hearing people he can look up to and learn from. I guess what I am trying to say is that I prefer that he has a teacher who is actually deaf or have a hearing loss, like you. It makes more sense. Like, it wouldn't make sense if a person who does not speak fluent Spanish or understand its culture teach Spanish to young kids."
I am just really happy that these parents and their children seem to understand the importance of having more deaf and hard of hearing role models that they can learn from. I don't get it when some schools seem to prefer to hire hearing teachers over deaf and hard of hearing teachers (even if they have similar degrees and qualifications).
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A father once told me, "I don't mean to offend you, but I am so glad that you have a hearing loss. I think it has been a tremendous help that you have a better understanding of where my son is coming from than most people." Then he added, "I prefer that he is around more deaf and hard of hearing people he can look up to and learn from. I guess what I am trying to say is that I prefer that he has a teacher who is actually deaf or have a hearing loss, like you. It makes more sense. Like, it wouldn't make sense if a person who does not speak fluent Spanish or understand its culture teach Spanish to young kids."
I am just really happy that these parents and their children seem to understand the importance of having more deaf and hard of hearing role models that they can learn from. I don't get it when some schools seem to prefer to hire hearing teachers over deaf and hard of hearing teachers (even if they have similar degrees and qualifications).
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Kids need role models. Someone they can relate to. ;)
ReplyDeleteCandy~
Nice vlog...I'm glad for you. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten the same reaction from parents during my working years.....retired now.
ReplyDeleteTousi
Do you think they would say that if you didn't talk?
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would be working in a public school system as an itinerant teacher if I was unable to talk.
ReplyDeleteI would think that most deaf or hard of hearing people who would want to work in an environment where they must interact with several different hearing individuals on a daily basis would probably have some degree of hearing and the ability to talk or communicate effectively with others without the use of an interpreter. Not, that I am saying someone who is unable or does not prefer to talk could not do the work, but it would definitely be no picnic.
But, some of these parents have met very successful deaf people who primarily sign and not use their voices and they have been just as impressed and inspired by them.
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