Have you ever known someone with dyslexia? Have you ever made fun of someone with dyslexia? Are you someone who either has dyslexia or has severe difficulties reading and writing? Then this post is for you.
My gran (my maternal grandmother) told me when I was younger never to make fun of people who do something worse than I do. For example, I have always been really good at writing and reading. It's my passion and my gifting. My gran, however, had problems with reading and writing when she was young. She would tell me stories of how she would go up to the board to spell things in school and get made fun of because she could not spell. This always made me so sad. I could not imagine what life would be like if you could not spell or always spelled things backwards, etc.
Then I met my fiance. He is incredibly smart. However, he gets teased a lot about his spelling. Every time I would see another Facebook posting of his where people were teasing him about his spelling, it made me a little sad inside. People sometimes don't realize how hard he works at english and writing papers. I have been helping him with his papers pretty much ever since we've been together. He has improved tremendously. Also, just because he has problems with spelling, it does not mean he is not good at anything. He is amazing with technology and mechanical things. He builds computers, soups up his airsoft guns, installs stuff in his car all by himself, and even created a prototype of an electrolysis thingy (see what I know about electrical engineering!). He's brilliant. However, it can be hard for some people to understand that if they only focus on his issues with spelling.
This brings me to the point I want to make. I believe God has called me to help children learn to read and write. Too many kids sit in crowded classrooms and struggle because they don't get the attention they need. I would love to specialize in individualized curriculum for kids who have either dyslexia or who have a hard time with spelling and reading comphrehension. However, I am really scared that I will not have the funds to survive what it takes to become certified as a teacher. I am already an English major with almost two years of coursework under my belt. Now, I will have to tack on another load of courses leading to certification. This scares me. it costs money to do that and the internships are unpaid. It seems impossible for me to handle. especially with getting married and needing to help bring in money. I feel like I can't just do a free internship and not make any money on the side while my husband to be has to work like crazy to keep the finances rolling in.
Friends, I need prayer for direction and faith that the Lord will provide if He really wants me to be a teacher. I teach preschool on sundays at my church and I love it. However, "real" teaching is a lot different. In public schools, I would not really get the chance to talk about God as much, if at all. Also, I may encounter children with behavior or attention problems. It kind of scares me. Also, becoming a "real" teacher would require me to do more school and be in school longer since I am already halfway done after this summer with my English degree. I am not sure what I should do.
All I know is that I want to help others not see reading, writing, and spelling as subjects that are extremely difficult. Language is important to all of us and I don't want anyone to be demeaned because they struggle with language arts. People that I know and love have experienced the frustration that these subjects can bring when they don't get the help they need. Hopefully, I will be able to help others learn that spelling, reading, and writing are not things to be afraid of.
Peace out!
Julia
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