More Than Just Book Learning

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More Than Just Book Learning

  • August 3, 2022
  • Posted by: Caitlin McCallum
  • Category: Wow Story
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Wow Wednesday Stories From the Classroom

I had a student who was a Senior this year.  He was well known and liked by others in his class but due to his disability he has difficulties interacting socially. Quite often, he could be found standing on the outside while others congregated.  If someone spoke to him, he would respond, however, he did not have any close friends.

This year, we designated a class called ELA/Math Lab.  Essentially, the class was a “Study Hall” that was primarily for students with Education Plans and those who fell into our intervention response groups.  At first in class, he would come in, do some of his work, speak to the teachers and just sit and watch.  Then, one of the other boys in the class started including him in his typical teenager banter and playful teasing.  You could tell at first that he wasn’t sure how to handle this type of interaction.  He would smile or slightly laugh but that was about it.

As time went on, the friendly interactions continued and my student began to progressively join in and contribute to the teasing.  It wasn’t long after that he began initiating these interactions.  Almost daily, he can be seen in the mornings waiting to greet his friend and begin their day with a joke or prank.

With his newfound social confidence, he was even able to attend the Senior Mission Trip this spring.  This is something no one ever thought he would want to do.  He came back BEAMING with stories of their trip.  I know this was a life changing experience for him.

To see him go from not knowing how to handle these typical behaviors to being the one who initiates them has been such a blessing.  While there are times I have to call them down for taking it too far, I still can smile at the fact that he has been able to surpass some of those social anxieties that he once had.

~written by Sarah Shelley, LSEM Teacher at Victory Christian Academy in Valparaiso, IN