I wrote this poem while I was student teaching earlier this year. It explains a lot about why I chose Special Education and more importantly "inclusion". Hope you enjoy!
Time to write a poem
By Miesha Griffin 01/26/07
Okay.
School reminds me of a special time in my life.
I’m only observing but that’s basically what students do.
They are “observers”.
Anyway, during the “observations”…
when I was in school…
I did some of my best art.
Wrote some of my best poetry…
my best short stories.
Had some of my best daydreams.
Why is it that I am most creative when the background sound
playing is “Blah blah blah…”?
Well then, here I am.
Science.
I enjoy science.
I enjoy science but I “know” this.
I think I am ADD.
Definitely not ADHD, all that “moving around” makes me sleepier.
I can write, think, spell, doodle – all while listening to the
teacher.
I know it’s rude.
I know she doesn’t really understand that I “understand”.
“Go on!” I think to myself.
“Finish your soliloquy- I mean your sentence.”
“I’m wit’ cha!”
A.D.D.
Attention Deficit Disorder
Attention Dimension Dementia
It’s not a disorder if you can “control” the two universes.
The parallel planes of thought.
I flow between.
More like swim, coming up to catch a breath when the voice is
pointed in my direction.
If I concentrate “too” much on one plane of thought I become
exposed.
Too much to the teacher I zone out.
My eyes cross.
Froth forms at the corner of my mouth.
The daydream begins.
Too much “attention” to the aesthetic I fail.
Get caught.
Get lost.
Lose my sanity. (Teacher takes my paper for conference fodder.)
So what!
What happened? Outcome?
7 different schools before 12th grade.
5 Colleges.
8 majors later I found my “niche”.
Teacher.
Navigator.
Navigation expert for students like me.
Drowning and lost in the depths of “No child left behind”.
Floundering between dimensions, planes and universes.
Doodlers.
Daydreamers.
Do nothings.
Daredevils.
ADHD is really not my disability, but I’ll figure it out during
“Reading”.
In research I’m “gifted”. I believe we ALL are in our own way.
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6 comments:
By jove, I think you've got it! You've figured out why several of us became SpEdsters! I went through and got both my bachelors and masters in Home Ec Ed and taught for 3 years before finding the first part of my niche--SpEd. Then I found my true niche with my very, very special children. Sometimes it feels like the only ones that love these children are God, myself, and my assistants. With a great many of them, we can also say family; but even then it is generally not the entire family. Special children often cause stress and trials so hard that marriages don't stay together or siblings are jealous of the time and effort spent with special needs child.
Your poetry is wonderful. The man who hired me for my first teaching job writes so much like you. You both make me think. He sends the most thought provoking poetry in a Christmas card every year - we usually get it by the middle of January! I wish you could communicate with him. His name is Sam Givhan, and he lives in Columbus. You are remarkably like him. Also, having taught gifted students for 15+ years now, you were busted right off the bat with me. I love that you aren't afraid of your giftedness or your creativity.
Even though I am facilitating this online course, I am a newcomer myself with blogging- Looks good!
Even though I am facilitating this online course, I am a newcomer myself with blogging- Looks good!
What a beautiful poem! My husband use to write a lot of poems. You are great!
My first comment wasn't published. I like your blog; it has some very good readings.
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