I attended the International Dyslexia Conference for four great, long days. I learned an incredible amount and felt a sense of confirmation that this is where I should be right now with my job. There is an incredible amount of work being done in this field but still so much more to do. I was challenged to teach more fluency development to my students and was very interested on the sessions relating to the trifold Dyslexia, ADHD, and Executive Dysfunction make. The conference also left me feeling proud to teach at the school I do. The vision of the school seems so in-sync with current research and then more. Perhaps the one aspect that it was missing at times was the amazingness of a dyslexic mind. The majority of the sessions did focus on the deficits instead of viewing certain areas like reading and writing weaknesses as parallel to amazing strengths. Talking purely in stereotypes, many dyslexics are amazingly artistic, intuitive, adaptable, creative, and tactile learners. The way that my students think challenge me. I have often prescribed to the most common way of doing something until they think or come at with a different way. This is not a disability but a difference.
I am thankful for what I do and the opportunities that I have through my job and schooling. My great husband, Stephen is marking papers beside me, the new Sara McLachlan CD from my parents is on, I just did yoga with a friend, Gray's Anatomy is on in 45 minutes, and I have nothing to do to get ready for tomorrow. I have a beautiful good life.
5 comments:
Super entry. Good, inspiring, useful professional development can be hard to find. I didn't know dislexic kids can be really artistic...maybe I should come to your school. Enjoy your well deserved week off there. Are you gonna make a turkey?
Don't kid about such fantastic things like you coming to our school. Nest time we talk I have to tell you about the art problem we are having at our school.
No turkey this year...got grossed out last year. But we will make some kind of meal. Last Thanksgiving we went to Turkey Run State Park...how fitting.
Glad to hear the rest of the conference went so well and that you learned so much! I agree with Jenessa...great post!
Gray's was so good tonight! But I'm nervous for Georgie's dad...and for Burk. Man, I am totally immersed in this show!
that conference sounds so great - wish i was at it! i'm so curious to hear more about your work and what you do day to day. i'm also intrigued by the sarah mclachlan christmas cd - i may have to replace the amy grant standard with something a little more up-to-date.
oh i miss grey's - no TV :( however, i think i may buy the season 2 box set and catch up completely before attacking season 3. oh, it's like, the awesomest show in like, the entire world.
i got the cd...love it, esp "River".
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