I have been an educator now for 30 years. First, within the establishment. Then when I simply couldn't hack that anymore, in the private sector. Lately, online.
I loved your article.
I also "suffer" from dyslexia. I have already had to go back and make 6 corrections to this post. They included reverse spellings of letters, double 'e's instead of 't's', commas instead of full-stops/periods. If you scrolled my comments and posts on Steemit; you are sure to find examples, even with all the checking and editing I do. Common ones for me are "form" instead of "from", "ot" instead of "to", "c's" instead of "s", one letter instead of two, for example "comon" instead of "common", running words together, it goes on. I think quicker than I can speak or write.
The beauty of this so-called disability is that I have empathy for all my students that struggle. But it is this very struggle that makes them great.
I don't necessarily encourage students to go through exams unless they want to. I offer them the option, but it is always their choice.
Here's the thing, and you hit on it beautifully. I teach music. One board's exam pass mark is 65%, merit at 75%, distinstion at 85% + There are nine graded exams in total. An "initial" exam and 8 grades. Grade Six is considered the equivalent of University entry level.
I had one girl student who never fialed a single exam, but who never scored higher than 68%. She made it all the way to Grade 8, and I can tell you I am more proud of her than all the students who hit 90% + marks.
She went on to become a national radio DJ/Presenter.
Then you have the students that breeze through every exam getting the high marks on natural ability; ntil they hit a brick wall. In my experience it happens to all of them, sometimes quickly at lower grades, sometimes slowly; at Grades 7 or 8 when the going gets tough. Guess what? They usually quit. Why? They simply have no experience nor grasp of the concept of "hard work" . Not their fault of course, but in my experience, the one key determining factor that separates those that achieve and those that quit.
It is a truism that most heroes go unsung. Thanks for addressing that :)
I am into biographies of great men and I can assure that Napoleon, Elon Musk and Steve Jobs all had serious struggles when they were kids.
It is likely that kids who struggle when young develop an easier defence system which is more embedded into their thinking.
That said, it is comforting for kids with tough life's to hold on to someone they admire and often a good teacher is the figure they need to succeed in life and not give up.
"But it is this very struggle that makes them great." Absolutely! And a beautiful way to state it!
Thanks @hanshotfirst What I didn't mention is that I am also left-handed and received my elementary education in a church controlled school back in the day in Ireland when this was considered "a mark of Satan". I kid you not. Guess I have always been a rebel because guess what? I am still left-handed despite best efforts to make me otherwsie.
Like you, never believed I would someday become a teacher myself.
Thanks for your comment btw.
Lastly, I now have more letters after my name than in it (over 50 at the last count). Not so much a boast, but to say to anyone struggling out there; if I can do it, so can you. Period!
Loved your graphics. I am very fond of If you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree...
Wow. The left handed analogy is great. Now we look at that practice and think "how insane". I hope in my lifetime we think that way about a lot of practices that need to be done away with.
"The beauty of this so-called disability is that I have empathy for all my students that struggle. But it is this very struggle that makes them great."
We need more teachers like you.
"Then you have the students that breeze through every exam getting the high marks on natural ability; ntil they hit a brick wall."
I had some friends like this, they didn't even have to pay much attention in class and score high grades. Some of them now are nobodies who have really messed up their lives.
Thank you for your comment and the compliment. Much appreciated.