Is there room for an educator with a learning disability?

I am currently completing my master’s degree in secondary education at a private school which is known to be an excellent college for preparing new teachers. (NCATE certified) I was born with dyslexia and a few other learning disabilities. While the effects of my disability may have weakened over the years, they are still apparent. My disability is a secret to the college and my friends. I probably work three times as hard to earn the same grades as my colleagues and some times wonder if I am fooling myself that I can offer the same level of education as my classmates. I have earned the right to be in the schools graduate program. I have earned a grade point average of 3.56.in my course work. I am now in the fight of my life. I am currently taking a class which focuses on teaching social studies for grades 7-12. My professor is an adjunct who teaching this one class and believes it is her mission to weed out all individuals who do not meet her requirements. She does not present a clear path when introducing her methods and expects every one to understand her lesson the first time only. My reason for success is that I have learned from my failures, but this time there is no practice session to hone my skills. You either sink or swim when giving one lesson plan. Today I sank. I gave it 110% and she not only failed me but insulted me in front of my classmates. Am I not supposed to succeed in my endeavors? What happens when I get out of college? Will I be an effective educator or will my learning disability always be there, whispering in my ear that success is for those whose minds are not afflicted with this curse. Living with this dirty secret makes me feel unsettled but what it the alternative? Who would hire me even if I graduated with honors? I am pretty sure the professor who is teaching this course wouldn’t.

Dear Stac,

Of course there is room for an outstanding teacher who happens to to be dyslexic with other LD. If you are asking will the education community welcome you with your disablity? I don't think anyone can answer that or should. I too I'm dyslexic with many other LD gifts. Do i think it will be hard yes. But you already know that, be patient with your peers if you do teach they have so many misconceptions. Yes , I teach some days are good some days are bad. I have had hurtful things said to me still today after 10 years of teaching. You'll be outstanding beleive in yourself. As for the professor I have many of those also, don't give her another thought she must not feel very good. I know that does not make you feel but believe me its true. I wish you all the luck.

Stace,

You have to remember once you are in a classroom you will have the support of team teachers, mentors, etc., to help you when you feel overwhelmed or insecure. One professor may not know what they are doing at all times, have they taught previously? What experience do they have teaching college level classes? Sometimes we take things so personal without looking at the person who is judging.

As far as, if you should let the professor know if you are LD. Do you have an academic skills center/learning support or disabilities officer at your campus that could help in this situation? If you are registered they can send out accommodation letters. They letters do not list the disability only the accommodations that you need.

I guess you would need to be more specific about why this instructor did not find your plans sufficient. Was it the writing of the plans - do you have a writing center on campus that could help?

Also, I would talk to the professor directly. Find out what you were missing and how to correct the problem. I am assuming your semester is almost up, do not take the professor again if you feel they are not doing the job you need them to do. Maybe they were having a bad day. Once you talk to them if you feel comfortable you could let him know.

I have set in interviews hiring educators as a parent and staff. I don't know of anyone who has been judged because the questions doesn't come up in interviews. They listen to the answers to questions about situations, discipline, classroom management, goals, and love of teaching.

The best teachers are those who are sensitive to their students needs not if someone else can read and understand their lesson plans. The buildings I have been in teams write their plans together to make sure the education the students are receiving are consistent throughout the grade level, district, etc.,

Shel If your not kicking hard enough your not making waves!