Above is the status I posted on Facebook tonight, and if you guys don't mind I thought I would elaborate a little bit. First off, let me say in no way was I trying to discredit teachers nor was I trying to generalize teachers every where. Being a teacher is a thankless job. People are constantly discrediting them and giving them a hard time. I have the up most respect for teachers everywhere. I personally have been blessed with great teachers, and that is why it breaks my heart when I see children be negatively impacted by the few bad ones. Thankfully there are great teachers around the world who make positive impacts on students' lives every day. Unfortunately though there are those kids out there who are not blessed with loving teachers, and that is why I said what I said.
For years children with disabilities have been looked down upon by society, their peers, and even by teachers. I have had the extreme horror of witnessing a teacher yank a child with Down's Syndrome around and tell them that they are useless. Thankfully that teacher is no longer a teacher at the school I was job shadowing that day, but it opened my eyes to some of the horrors that are out there. It has inspired me to want to make a difference.
On a more personal level, I have seen teachers mistreat a little boy very close to my heart. I have heard teachers say that he is hopeless and unless he is medicated then he has no chance of ever being successful. And let me tell you folks, those words were a knife to the heart. I have not been involved in the world of special needs education for long, but one thing I do know is that such decelerations could not be farther from the truth.This matter is one very near and dear to my heart, and is not one that I take lightly.
Tonight I put my heart out there. I am the kind of person who loves and constantly puts everything there for the world to see. I make myself vulnerable and sometimes I have to pay the price for that. I believe with all my heart that as Christians God has called us to be that light in the darkness and not to be afraid to speak out against the evils of the world. Ephesians 6:10 says "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on
the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers
over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may
be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand
firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having
put on the breastplate of righteousness." Being a follower of God is not an easy task, and neither is standing up for what you believe in. But nothing can change unless issues are addressed.
I just want all of you to know where I was coming from and I why I said the things I did. I really do hope to make a difference in the world of special needs education. My heart has been touched countless times by children with disabilities and learning differences. It is my dream to take the love that those children have shown me and shine it upon the rest of the world.
Thank you to everyone out there who supports me, I could not do it without yall.
XOXO,
Katie
